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JANE AUSTEN'S
SAILOR BROTHERS

'^ VICIi-AD^Ilf-.At, SIR FRANCIS AUSTEN, K.C.B.

/«' * »i » -» » * « ',

JANE AUSTEN'S
SAILOR BROTHERS

Being the Adventures of Sir Francis

Austen, G.C.B., Admiral of the Fleet

and Rear-Admiral Charles

Austen By J. H. Hubback

and Edith C. Hubback

mdccccvi
London: John Lane
The Bodley Head, Vtgo Street, TV.
New York: 'John Lane Company

Printed by Ballantyne <5r» Co. Limited
Tavistock Street, London

TO M. P. H.

" I HAVE DISCOVERED A THING VERY
LITTLE KNOWN, WHICH IS THAT IN
one's WHOLE LIFE ONE CAN NEVER
HAVE MORE THAN ONE MOTHER.
YOU MAY THINK THIS OBVIOUS.
YOU ARE A GREEN GOSLING ! '*

224848

PREFACE

Perhaps some apology may be expected on behalf
of a book about Jane Austen, having regard to
the number which have already been put before
the public in past years. My own membership of
the family is my excuse for printing a book which
contains little original matter, and which might be
described as '*a thing of shreds and patches," if
that phrase were not already over-worked. To
me it seems improbable that others will take a
wholly adverse view of what is so much inwoven
with all the traditions of my life. When I recol-
lect my childhood, spent chiefly in the house of
my grandfather, Sir Francis, and all the interests
which accompanied those early days, I find myself
once more amongst those deep and tender dis-
tances. Surrounded by reminiscences of the
opening years of the century, the Admiral always
cherished the most affectionate remembrance of
the sister who had so soon passed away, leaving

vii

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

those six precious volumes to be a store of house-
hold words among the family.

How often I call to mind some question or
answer, expressed quite naturally in terms of the
novels ; sometimes even a conversation would be
carried on entirely appropriate to the matter under
discussion, but the actual phrases were **Aunt
Jane's." So well, too, do I recollect the sad news
of the death of Admiral Charles Austen, after the
capture, under his command, of Martaban and
Rangoon, and while he was leading his squadron
to further successes, fifty-six years having elapsed
since his first sea-fight.

My daughter and I have made free use of the
Letters of Jane Austen^ published in 1884, by
the late Lord Brabourne, and wish to acknowledge
with gratitude the kind permission to quote these
letters, given to us by their present possessor. In
a letter of 18 13, she speaks of two nephews who
" amuse themselves very comfortably in the even-
ing by netting ; they are each about a rabbit-net,
and sit as deedily to it, side by side, as any two
Uncle Franks could do." In his octogenarian
days Sir Francis was still much interested in this
same occupation of netting, to protect his Morello

viii

Preface

cherries or currants. It was, in fact, only laid
aside long after his grandsons had been taught to
carry it on.

My most hearty thanks are also due to my
cousins, who have helped to provide materials for
our work ; to Miss M. L. Austen for the loan of
miniatures and silhouettes ; to Miss Jane Austen
for various letters and for illustrations ; to Com-
mander E. L. Austen for access to logs, and to
official and other letters in large numbers ; also
to Miss Mary Austen for the picture of the
PeferelinaLCtiony and to Mrs. Herbert Austen, and
Captain and Mrs. Willan for excellent portraits of
the Admirals, and to all these, and other members
of the family, for much encouragement in our
enterprise.

JOHN H. HUBBACK.
July 1905,

CONTENTS

CHAP. PAGE

I. BROTHERS AND SISTERS I

II. TWO MIDSHIPMEN I5

III. CHANGES AND CHANCES IN THE NAVY. ... 28

IV. PROMOTIONS 41

V. THE " PETEREL " SLOOP 56

VI. THE PATROL OF THE MEDITERRANEAN ... 78

VII. AT HOME AND ABROAD 94

VIII. BLOCKADING BOULOGNE Ill

IX. THE PURSUIT OF VILLENEUVE I3O

X. " A MELANCHOLY SITUATION " I47

XI. ST. DOMINGO 164

XII. THE CAPE AND ST. HELENA 180

XIII. STARS AND STRIPES I96

XIV. CHINESE MANDARINS 212

XV. A LETTER FROM JANE . . ^ . . . . 22/

XVI. ANOTHER LETTER FROM JANE 243

XVII. THE END OF THE WAR 260

XVIII. TWO ADMIRALS 274

INDEX 287

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Vice- Admiral Sir Francis Austen, K.C.B. {From a painting
in the possession of Mrs. Herbert A usten) . . frontispiece

The Reverend George Austen, Rector of Steventon {From

a miniature in the possession of Miss M. L. Austen) , . 8

Action between the English frigate Unicorn and the French
frigate La Tribune^ June 8, 1796 {From a painting in
the possession of Captain Willan, R.N., and Mrs. Willan).
By kind permission of Miss Hill 22

Francis Austen as Lieutenant {From a miniature) . . 44

Sloop of War and Frigate {From a pencil sketch by Captain

Herbert Austen, R.N.) 64

Peterel in action with the French brig La Ligurienne after
driving two others on the rocks near Marseilles, on
March 21, 1800 {From a sketch by Captain Herbert
Austen^ R.N.,in the possession of Miss Mary Austen) . 84

Topaz Crosses given to Cassandra and Jane by Charles

Austen {In the possession of Miss Jane Austen) . . 92

The Way to Church from Portsdown Lodge {From a

pencil sketch by Catherine A . Austen) . . . .108

Mrs. Austen {From a silhouette in the possession of Miss

M. L. Austen) 124

Order of Battle and of Sailing, signed Nelson. and Bront6,

dated March 26, 1805 132

xiii

List of Illustrations

PAGE

Order of Battle and of Sailing, signed Nelson and Bronte,

dated June 5, 1805 138

Captain Francis William Austen {From a miniature of
1806, in the possession of Miss M. L. Austen. The Order
of the C.B. has been painted in at a later date, probably
when conferred in iSi^) 156

" Vice-Admiral Sir Francis Austen, K.C.B.'s writing-desk "
{From a caricature sketch by his daughter Cassandra,
about 1840) 174

Cassandra Austen {From a silhouette in the possession of

Miss M. L. Austen) 184

Portchester Castle. The French prisoners were interned
in the neighbouring buildings after the Battle of
Vimiera {From a sketch hy Captain Herbert Austen ^ R.N.) 200

Captain Charles Austen {From a painting of 1809, in the

possession of Miss Jane Austen) 2 10

Jane Austen, from a sketch by her sister Cassandra {In

the possession of Miss jfane Austen) 226

Mrs. Charles Austen, nee Fanny Palmer, daughter of the
Attorney-General of Bermuda {From a painting in the
possession of Miss J afte Austen) 252

Captain Charles Austen, C.B. {From a painting in the

possession of Captain Willan, R.N., and Mrs. Willan) . 266

Jane Austen's work-box, with her last piece of work {In

the possession of Miss Jane Austen) .... 270

Memorandum, dated May 12, 1838, signed by Charles

Austen on taking command of the Bellerophon , . 274

Rear- Admiral Charles Austen, C.B. {From a miniature
painted at Malta in 1846, in the possession of Miss Jane
Austen) 278

Sir Francis Austen, G.C.B., Admiral of the Fleet, at the

age of ninety 284

xiv

JANE AUSTEN'S
SAILOR BROTHERS

CHAPTER I
BROTHERS AND SISTERS

No one can read Jane Austen's novels, her life, or
her letters, without feeling that to her the ties
of family were stronger and more engrossing than
any others.

Among the numbers of men and women who
cheerfully sacrifice the claims of their family in
order that they may be free to confer somewhat
doubtful benefits on society, it is refreshing to find
one who is the object of much love and gratitude
from countless unknown readers, and who yet
would have been the first to laugh at the notion
that her writing was of more importance than her
thought for her brothers and sister, or the various
home duties which fell to her share. It is this
sweetness and wholesomeness of thought, this
clear conviction that her ** mission '* was to do her
duty, that gives her books and letters their peculiar
quality. Her theory of life is clear. Whatever
troubles befall, people must go on doing their
work and making the best of it ; and we are not

c/;:/ Jai^.^'i^uken'^ Sailor Brothers

allowed to feel respect, or even overmuch sym-
pathy, for the characters In the novels who cannot
bear this test. There is a matter-of-courseness
about this view which, combined with all that we
know of the other members of the family, gives
one the idea that the children at Steventon had a
strict bringing up. This, in fact, was the case,
and a very rich reward was the result. In a family
of seven all turned out well, two rose to the top of
their profession, and one was — Jane Austen.

The fact of her intense devotion to her family
could not but influence her writing. She loved
them all so well that she could not help thinking
of them even in the midst of her work ; and the
more we know of her surroundings, and the lives
of those she loved, the more we understand of the
small joyous touches in her books. She was far
too good an artist, as well as too reticent in nature,
to take whole characters from life ; but small cha-
racteristics and failings, dwelt on with humorous
partiality, can often be traced back to the natures of
those she loved. Mary Crawford's brilliant letters
to Fanny Price remind one of Cassandra, who
was the ** finest comic writer of the present age."
Charles' impetuous disposition is exaggerated
in BIngley, who says, "Whatever I do is done
in a hurry," a remark which is severely reproved
by Darcy (and not improbably by Francis Austen),
as an ** indirect boast." Francis himself comes in

Brothers and Sisters

for his share of teasing on the opposite point of
his extreme neatness, precision, and accuracy.
" They are so neat and careful in all their ways,"
says Mrs. Clay, in *' Persuasion," of the naval pro-
fession in general ; and nothing could be more
characteristic of Francis Austen and some of his
descendants than the overpowering accuracy with
which Edmund Bertram corrects Mary Crawford's
hasty estimate of the distance in the wood.

** * I am really not tired, which I almost wonder
at ; for we must have walked at least a mile in this
wood. Do not you think we have ? '

" * Not half a mile,' was his sturdy answer ; for
he was not yet so much in love as to measure dis-
tance, or reckon time, with feminine lawlessness.

•* * Oh, you do not consider how much we have
wound about. We have taken such a very serpen-
tine course, and the wood itself must be half a mile
long in a straight line, for we have never seen the
end of it yet since we left the first great path.'

** * But if you remember, before we left that first
great path we saw directly to the end of it. We
looked down the whole vista, and saw it closed by
iron gates, and it could not have been more than
a furlong in length.'

*' * Oh, I know nothing of your furlongs, but I
am sure it is a very long wood ; and that we
have been winding in and out ever since we
came into it ; and therefore when I say that

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

we have walked a mile in it I must speak within
compass.'

** * We have been exactly a quarter of an hour
here,' said Edmund, taking out his watch. * Do
you think we are walking four miles an hour ? '

***Oh, do not attack me with your watch. A
watch is always too fast or too slow. I cannot be
dictated to by a watch.'

" A few steps farther brought them out at the
bottom of the very walk they had been talking of.

** * Now, Miss Crawford, if you will look up the
walk, you will convince yourself that it cannot be
half a mile long, or half half a mile.'

** * It is an immense distance,' said she ; * I see
that with a glance.'

** * He still reasoned with her, but in vain. She
would not calculate, she would not compare.
She would only smile and assert. The greatest
degree of rational consistency could not have
been more engaging, and they talked with mutual
satisfaction.' "

It is in ** Mansfield Park" and in ** Persuasion"
that the influence of her two sailor brothers, Francis
and Charles, on Jane Austen's work can be most
easily traced. Unlike the majority of writers of
all time, from Shakespeare with his *' Seacoast of
Bohemia " down to the author of a penny dreadful,
Jane Austen never touched, even lightly, on a
subject unless she had a real knowledge of its

Brothers and Sisters

details. Her pictures of the life of a country
gentleman and of clergymen are accurate, if not
always sympathetic. Perhaps it was all too near
her own experience to have the charm of romance,
but concerning sailors she is romantic. Their very
faults are lovable in her eyes, and their lives
packed with interest. When Admiral Croft, Cap-
tain Wentworth, or William Price appears on the
scene, the other characters immediately take on a
merely subsidiary interest, and this prominence is
always that given by appreciation. The distinc-
tion awarded to Mr. Collins or Mrs. Elton, as the
chief object of ridicule, is of a different nature.
The only instance she cared to give us of a sailor
who is not to be admired is Mary Crawford's
uncle, the Admiral, and even he is allowed to earn
our esteem by disinterested kindness to William
Price.

No doubt some of this enthusiasm was due to
the spirit of the times, when, as Edward Ferrars
says, ** The navy had fashion on its side " ; but
that sisterly partiality was a stronger element there
can be no question. Her place in the family was
between these two brothers, Francis just a year
older, and Charles some four years younger. Much
has been said about her fondness for ** pairs of
sisters " in her novels, but no less striking are the
** brother and sister " friendships which are an
important factor in four out of her six books. The

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

love of Darcy for his sister Georgina perhaps
suggests the intimacy between James Austen and
Jane, where the difference in their ages of ten
years, their common love of books, the advice and
encouragement that the elder brother was able to
give his sister over her reading, are all points of
resemblance. The equal terms of the affection of
Francis and Jane are of another type.

Henry Tilney and his sister Eleanor, Mrs. Croft
and Frederick Wentworth, give us good instances
of firm friendships. In the case of the Tilneys,
confidences are exchanged with ease and freedom ;
but in ** Persuasion,*' the feeling in this respect, as in
all others, is more delicate, and only in the chapter
which Jane Austen afterwards cancelled can we
see the quickness of Mrs. Croft's perceptions where
her brother was concerned. For so long as she
supposes him to be on the brink of marrying
Louisa Musgrove, sympathy is no doubt somewhat
difficult to force, but '' prompt welcome " is given
to Anne as Captain Wentworth's chosen wife ; and
with some knowledge of Mrs. Croft we know that
the ** particularly friendly manner " hid a warmth
of feeling which would fully satisfy even Frede-
rick's notions of the love which Anne deserved.
But it is in ** Mansfield Park " that '' brothers and
sisters " play the strongest part. No one can pos-
sibly doubt the very lively affection of Mary and
Henry Crawford. Even when complaining of the

Brothers and Sisters

shortness of his letters, she says that Henry is
** exactly what a brother should be, loves me,
consults me, confides in me, and will talk to me
by the hour together " — and the scene later on,
where he tells of his devotion to Fanny Price, is
as pretty an account of such a confidence as can
be well imagined, where the worldliness of each
is almost lost in the happiness of disinterested
love, which both are feeling.

When Jane Austen comes to describing Fanny's
love for her brother William, her tenderness and
her humour are in perfect accord. From the
reality of the feelings over his arrival and promo-
tion, to the quiet hit at the enthusiasm which his
deserted chair and cold pork bones might be sup-
posed to arouse in Fanny's heart after their early
breakfast, when he was off to London, the picture
of sisterly love is perfect. We are told, too, that
there was ** an affection on his side as warm as her
own, and much less encumbered by refinement
and self-distrust. She was the first object of his
love, but it was a love which his stronger spirits
and bolder temper made it as natural for him to
express as to feel." So far this describes the love
of William and Fanny, but a few lines further on
comes a passage which has the ring of personal
experience. In reading it, it is impossible not to
picture a time which was always of great import-
ance in the life at Steventon — the return on leave

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

for a few weeks or a few months of one or other
of the sailor brothers, and all the walks and talks
which filled up the pleasant days. ** On the morrow
they were walking about together with true enjoy-
ment, and every succeeding morrow renewed the
tHe-d.-tete, Fanny had never known so much feli-
city in her life as in this unchecked, equal, fearless
intercourse with the brother and friend, who was
opening all his heart to her, telling her all his
hopes and fears, plans and solicitudes respecting
that long thought of, dearly earned, and justly
valued blessing of promotion — who was interested
in all the comforts and all the little hardships of
her home — and with whom (perhaps the dearest
indulgence of the whole) all the evil and good of
their earliest years could be gone over again, and
every former united pain and pleasure retraced
with the fondest recollection."

Some slight record of the childhood of the
Steventon family has been left to us. Most of the
known facts have already been told by admirers of
Jane Austen, but some extracts from an account
written by Catherine Austen in the lifetime of
her father, Sir Francis Austen, will at least
have the merit of accuracy, for he would cer-
tainly have been merciless to even the simplest
"embroidery."

The father, Mr. George Austen, was the rector
of Steventon. He was known in his young days,

THE RKVP:REND GEORGE AUSTEN
IN 1763

c •

• c c

c », r

€ c c c

Brothers and Sisters

before his marriage, as ** the handsome tutor," and
he transmitted his good looks to at least three of
his sons ; Henry, Francis, and Charles were all
exceptionally handsome men. Indeed, neither wit
nor good looks were deficient in the Steventon
family. Probably much of Jane's simplicity about
her writing arose from the fact that she saw nothing
in it to be conceited about, being perfectly con-
vinced that any of the others, with her leisure and
inclination, could have done just as well. Her
father had a gentleness of disposition combined
with a firmness of principle which had great
effect in forming the characters of his family. The
mother's maiden name was Cassandra Leigh. She
was very lively and active, and strict with her
children. It is not difficult to see whence Francis
derived his ideas of discipline, or Jane her un-
swerving devotion to duty.

The elder members of the family were born at
Deane, which was Mr. Austen's first living, but in
1 77 1 they moved to Steventon, where they lived
for nearly thirty years.

The account of the house given by Catherine
Austen shows the simplicity of the life.

** The parsonage consisted of three rooms in
front on the ground floor, the best parlour, the
common parlour, and the kitchen ; behind there
were Mr. Austen's study, the back kitchen and
the stairs ; above them were seven bedrooms and

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

three attics. The rooms were low-pitched but
not otherwise bad, and compared with the usual
style of such buildings it might be considered a
very good house." An eulogy follows on the
plainness and quietness of the family life — a
characteristic specially due to the mother's in-
fluence.

''That she had no taste for expensive show or
finery, may be inferred from the fact being on
record that for two years she actually never had a
gown to wear. It was a prevalent custom for
ladies to wear cloth habits, and she having one of
red cloth found any other dress unnecessary.
Imagine a beneficed clergyman's wife in these
days contenting herself with such a costume for
two years! But the fact illustrates the retired
style of living that contented her." Even when
she did find it necessary to provide herself with
some other costume, the riding-habit was made to
serve another useful purpose, for it was cut up
into a first cloth suit for little Francis.

The following account of their upbringing closes
this slight record :

" There is nothing in which modern manners
differ much more from those of a century back
than in the system pursued with regard to children.
They were kept in the nursery, out of the way not
only of visitors but of their parents ; they were
trusted to hired attendants ; they were allowed a

Brothers and Sisters

great deal of air and exercise, were kept on plain
food, forced to give way to the comfort of others,
accustomed to be overlooked, slightly regarded,
considered of trifling importance. No well-
stocked libraries of varied lore to cheat them into
learning awaited them ; no scientific toys, no
philosophic amusements enlarged their minds and
wearied their attention." One wonders what
would have been the verdict of this writer of fifty
years ago on education in 1905. She goes on to
tell us of the particular system pursued with the
boys in order to harden them for their future work
in life. It was not considered either necessary or
agreeable for a woman to be very strong. ** Little
Francis was at the age of ten months removed
from the parsonage to a cottage in the village,
and placed under the care of a worthy couple,
whose simple style of living, homely dwelling, and
out-of-door habits (for in the country the poor
seldom close the door by day, except in bad
weather), must have been very different from the
heated nurseries and constrained existence of the
clean, white-frocked little gentlemen who are now
growing up around us. Across the brick floor of
a cottage Francis learnt to walk, and perhaps it
was here that he received the foundation of the
excellent constitution which was so remarkable in
after years. It must not, however, be supposed
that he was neglected by his parents ; he was

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

constantly visited by them both, and often taken
to the parsonage."

One cannot but admire the fortitude of parents
who would forego the pleasure of seeing their
children learn to walk and satisfy themselves with
daily visits, for the sake of a plan of education of
which the risks cannot have been otherwise than
great.

The rough-and-tumble life which followed must
have thoroughly suited the taste of any enterprising
boy, and given him an independence of spirit, and
a habit of making his own plans, which would
be exactly what was wanted in the Navy of
those days, when a man of twenty-five might
be commander of a vessel manned by discon-
tented, almost mutinous, sailors, with the chance
of an enemy's ship appearing at any time on
the horizon.

Riding about the country after the hounds
began for Francis at the age of seven ; and,
from what we hear of Catherine Morland's
childhood, we feel sure that Jane would not
always have been contented to be left behind.

Catherine, at the age of ten, was ''noisy and
wild, hated confinement and cleanliness, and loved
nothing so well in the world as rolling down the
green slope at the back of the house." When she
was fourteen, we are told that she ''preferred
cricket, base-ball, riding on horseback, and

Brothers and Sisters

running about the country, to books — or, at
least, books of information — for, provided that
nothing like useful knowledge could be gained
from them, provided they were all story and no
reflection, she had never any objection to books
at all ! "

This, if not an accurate picture of the tastes
of the children at Steventon, at least shows
the sort of amusements which boys and girls
brought up in a country parsonage had at their
command.

Perhaps it was of some such recollections that
Jane Austen was thinking when she praised that
common tie of childish remembrances. *'An
advantage this, a strengthener of love, in which
even the conjugal tie is beneath the fraternal.
Children of the same family, the same blood, with
the same first association and habits, have some
means of enjoyment in their power which no sub-
sequent connection can supply, and it must be by
a long and unnatural estrangement, by a divorce
which no subsequent connection can justify, if such
precious remains of the earliest attachments are
ever entirely outlived. Too often, alas ! it is so.
Fraternal love, sometimes almost everything, is at
others worse than nothing. But with William and
Fanny Price it was still a sentiment in all its
prime and freshness, wounded by no opposition of
interest, cooled by no separate attachment, and

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

feeling the influence of time and absence only in
its increase." That it was never Jane's lot to feel
this cooling of affection on the part of any member
of her family is due not only to their appreciation
of their sister, but to the serenity and adaptability
of her own sweet disposition.

CHAPTER II
TWO MIDSHIPMEN

Both Francis and Charles Austen were educated
for their profession at the Royal Naval Academy,
which was established in 1775 at Portsmouth, and
was under the supreme direction of the Lords of
the Admiralty. Boys were received there between
the ages of 1 2 and 1 5. They were supposed to
stay there for three years, but there was a system
of sending them out to serve on ships as
'* Volunteers." This was a valuable part of their
training, as they were still under the direction of
the College authorities, and had the double
advantages of experience and of teaching. They
did the work of seamen on board, but were
allowed up on deck, and were specially under the
eye of the captain, who was supposed to make
them keep accurate journals, and draw the appear-
ances of headlands and coasts. It is no doubt to
this early training that we owe the careful private
logs which Francis kept almost throughout his
whole career.

V /

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

Some of the rules of the Naval Academy show
how ideas have altered in the last hundred and
more years. There was a special law laid down
that masters were to make no differences between
the boys on account of rank or position, and no
boy was to be allowed to keep a private servant,
a rather superfluous regulation in these days.

Three weeks was the extent of the holiday^
which it seems could be taken at any time in
the year, the Academy being always open for the
benefit of Volunteers, who were allowed to go
there when their ships were in Portsmouth. Those
who distinguished themselves could continue this
privilege after their promotion. Francis left the
Academy in 1788, and immediately went out to
the East Indies on board the Perseverance as
Volunteer.

There he stayed for four years, first as midship-
man on the Crown, 64 guns, and afterwards on the
Minerva, 38.

A very charming letter from his father to
Francis is still in existence.

** Memorandum for the use of Mr. F. W. Austen
on his going to the East Indies on board his
Majesty's ship Perseverance (Captain Smith).

^^ December, 1788.

"My dear Francis, — While you were at the
Royal Academy the opportunities of writing to you

Two Midshipmen

were so frequent that I gave you my opinion and
advice as occasion arose, and it was sufficient to
do so ; but now you are going from us for so long
a time, and to such a distance, that neither you
can consult me or I reply but at long intervals, I
think it necessary, therefore, before your depar-
ture, to give my sentiments on such general
subjects as I conceive of the greatest import-
ance to you, and must leave your conduct in
particular cases to be directed by your own good
sense and natural judgment of what is right."

After some well-chosen and impressive injunc-
tions on the subject of his son's religious duties,
Mr. Austen proceeds :

" Your behaviour, as a member of society, to
the individuals around you may be also of great
importance to your future well-doing, and cer-
tainly will to your present happiness and comfort.
You may either by a contemptuous, unkind and
selfish manner create disgust and dislike ; or by
affability, good humour and compliance, become
the object of esteem and affection ; which of these
very opposite paths 'tis your interest to pursue
I need not say.

*' The little world, of which you are going to be- >^
come an inhabitant, will occasionally have it in their
power to contribute no little share to your pleasure
or pain ; to conciliate therefore their goodwill, by
every honourable method, will be the part of a

17 B

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

prudent man. Your commander and officers will
be most likely to become your friends by a
respectful behaviour to themselves, and by an
active and ready obedience to orders. Good
humour, an inclination to oblige and the care-
fully avoiding every appearance of selfishness,
will infallibly secure you the regards of your own
mess and of all your equals. With your inferiors
perhaps you will have but little intercourse, but
when it does occur there is a sort of kindness
they have a claim on you for, and which, you
may believe me, will not be thrown away on them.
Your conduct, as it respects yourself, chiefly
comprehends sobriety and prudence. The former
you know the importance of to your health, your
morals and your fortune. I shall therefore say
nothing more to enforce the observance of it. I
thank God you have not at present the least
disposition to deviate from it. Prudence extends
to a variety of objects. Never any action of your
life in which it will not be your interest to consider
what she directs ! She will teach you the proper
disposal of your time and the careful manage-
ment of your money, — two very important trusts
for which you are accountable. She will teach
you that the best chance of rising in life is to make
yourself as useful as possible, by carefully study-
ing everything that relates to your profession,
and distinguishing yourself from those of your

Two Midshipmen

own rank by a superior proficiency in nautical
acquirements.

** As you have hitherto, my dear Francis, been
extremely fortunate in making friends, I trust
your future conduct will confirm their good
opinion of you ; and I have the more confidence
in this expectation because the high character you
acquired at the Academy for propriety of behaviour
and diligence in your studies, when you were
so much younger and had so much less experi-
ence, seems to promise that riper years and more
knowledge of the world will strengthen your
naturally good disposition. That this may be the
case I sincerely pray, as you will readily believe
when you are assured that your good mother,
brothers, sisters and myself will all exult in your
reputation and rejoice in your happiness.

**Thus far by way of general hints for your
conduct. I shall now mention only a few par-
ticulars I wish your attention to. As you must be
convinced it would be the highest satisfaction to us
to hear as frequently as possible from you, you will
of course neglect no opportunity of giving us that
pleasure, and being very minute in what relates to
yourself and your situation. On this account,
and because unexpected occasions of writing to us
may offer, 'twill be a good way always to have a
letter in forwardness. You may depend on hear-
ing from some of us at every opportunity.

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

" Whenever you draw on me for money, Captain
Smith will endorse your bills, and I dare say will
readily do it as often, and for what sums, he shall
think necessary. At the same time you must not
forget to send me the earliest possible notice of
the amount of the draft, and the name of the
person in whose favour it is drawn. On the
subject of letter-writing, I cannot help mentioning
how incumbent it is on you to write to Mr. Bayly,
both because he desired it and because you have
no other way of expressing the sense I know you
entertain of his very great kindness and attention
to you. Perhaps it would not be amiss if you were
also to address one letter to your good friend the
commissioner, to acknowledge how much you
shall always think yourself obliged to him.

" Keep an exact account of all the money you
receive or spend, lend none but where you are
sure of an early repayment, and on no account
whatever be persuaded to risk it by gaming.

" I have nothing to add but my blessing and
best prayers for your health and prosperity, and
to beg you would never forget you have not upon
earth a more disinterested and warm friend than,
" Your truly affectionate father,

** Geo. Austen."

That this letter should have been found among
the private papers of an old man who died at the

Two Midshipmen

age of 91, after a life of constant activity and
change, is proof enough that it was highly valued
by the boy of fourteen to whom it was written.
There is something in its gentleness of tone, and
the way in which advice is offered rather than
obedience demanded, which would make it very
persuasive to the feelings of a young boy going
out to a life which must consist mainly of the
opposite duties of responsibility and discipline.
Incidentally it all throws a pleasant light on the
characters of both father and son.

The life of a Volunteer on board ship was by
no means an easy one, but it no doubt inured the
boys to hardships and privations, and gave them
a sympathy with their men which would after-
wards stand them in good stead.

The record of Charles as a midshipman is very
much more stirring than Francis' experiences.
He served on board the Unicorn, under Captain
Thomas Williams, at the time of the capture of the
French frigate La Tribune, a notable single ship
encounter, which brought Captain Williams the
honour of knighthood.

On June 8, 1796, the Unicorn and the
Santa Margarita, cruising off the Scilly Islands,
sighted three strange ships, and gave chase.
They proved to be two French frigates and a
corvette. La Tribune, La Tamise, and La Legere.
The French vessels continued all day to run

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

before the wind. The EngHsh ships as they
gained on them were subjected to a well-directed
fire, which kept them back so much that it was
evening before La Tamise at last bore up and
engaged one of the pursuers, the Santa Margarita,
After a sharp action of about twenty minutes
La Tamise struck her colours.

La Tribune crowded on all sail to make her
escape, but the Unicorn^ in spite of damage to
masts and rigging, kept up the chase, and after a
running fight of ten hours the Unicorn came
alongside, taking the wind from the sails of the
French ship. After a close action of thirty-five
minutes there was a brief interval. As the smoke
cleared away. La Tribune could be seen trying
to get to the windward of her enemy. This
manoeuvre was instantly frustrated, and a few
more broadsides brought down La Tribunes
masts, and ended the action. From start to
finish of the chase the two vessels had run
2IO miles. Not a man was killed or even hurt
on board the Unicorn, and not a large proportion
of the crew of La Tribune suffered. No doubt in
a running fight of this sort much powder and shot
would be expended with very little result.

When this encounter took place Charles Austen
had been at sea for scarcely two years. Such an
experience would have given the boy a great
notion of the excitement and joys in store for him

f € ,( < t

Two Midshipmen

in a seafaring life. Such, however, was not to
be his luck. Very little important work fell to
his share till at least twenty years later, and for
one of his ardent temperament this was a some-
what hard trial. His day came at last, after
years of routine, but when he was still young
enough to enjoy a life of enterprise and of action.
Even half a century later his characteristic energy
was never more clearly shown than in his last
enterprise as Admiral in command during the
second Burmese War (1852), when he died at the
front.

Francis, during the four years when he was a
midshipman, had only one change of captain.
After serving under Captain Smith in the
Perseverance, he went to the Crown, under
Captain the Honourable W. Cornwallis, and
eventually followed him into the Minerva,
Admiral Cornwallis was afterwards in command
of the Channel Fleet, blockading Brest in the
Trafalgar year.

Charles had an even better experience than
Francis had, for he was under Captain Thomas
Williams all the time he was midshipman, first
in the Dcedalus, then in the Unicorn, and last in
the Endymion,

The fact that both brothers served for nearly i
all their times as midshipmen under the same |
captain shows that they earned good opinions. If •

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

midshipmen were not satisfactory they were very
speedily transferred, as we hear was the lot of
poor Dick Musgrave.

*' He had been several years at sea, and had in
the course of those removals to which all midship-
men are liable, and especially such midshipmen
as every captain wishes to get rid of, been six
months on board Captain Frederick Wentworth's
frigate, the Laconia ; and from the Laconia he
had, under the influence of his captain, written
the only two letters which his father and mother
had ever received from him during the whole of
his absence, that is to say the only two disin-
terested letters ; all the rest had been mere
applications for money. In each letter he had
spoken well of his captain — mentioning him in
strong, though not perfectly well-spelt praise, as
* a fine dashing felow, only two perticular about
the schoolmaster.' "

No doubt Dick's journal and sketches of the
coast line were neither accurate nor neatly
executed.

William Price's time as a midshipman is, one
would think, a nearer approach to the careers of
Francis and Charles. Certainly the account given
of his talk seems to bear much resemblance to
the stories Charles, especially, would have to tell
on his return.

*' William was often called on by his uncle to

Two Midshipmen

be the talker. His recitals were amusing in them-
selves to Sir Thomas, but the chief object in
seeking them was to understand the reciter, to
know the young man by his histories, and he
listened to his clear, simple, spirited details with
full satisfaction — seeing in them the proof of good
principles, professional knowledge, energy, courage
and cheerfulness — everything that could deserve
or promise well. Young as he was, William had
already seen a great deal. He had been in the
Mediterranean — in the West Indies — in the
Mediterranean again — had been often taken on
shore by favour of his captain, and in the course
of seven years had known every variety of danger
which sea and war together could offer. With
such means in his power he had a right to be
listened to ; and though Mrs. Norris could fidget
about the room, and disturb everybody in quest
of two needlefuls of thread or a second-hand shirt
button in the midst of her nephew's account of a
shipwreck or an engagement, everybody else
was attentive ; and even Lady Bertram could
not hear of such horrors unmoved, or without
sometimes lifting her eyes from her work to say,
^ Dear me ! How disagreeable ! I wonder any-
body can ever go to sea.'

'*To Henry Crawford they gave a different
feeling. He longed to have been at sea, and seen
and done and suffered as much. His heart was

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

warmed, his fancy fired, and he felt a great respect
for a lad who, before he was twenty, had gone
through such bodily hardships, and given such
proofs of mind. The glory of heroism, of useful-
ness, of exertion, of endurance, made his own
habits of selfish indulgence appear in shameful
contrast ; and he wished he had been a William
Price, distinguishing himself and working his way
to fortune and consequence with so much self-
respect and happy ardour, instead of what he
was ! "

This gives a glowing account of the conse-
quence of a midshipman on leave. That times
were not always so good, that they had their
share of feeling small and of no account, on shore
as well as at sea, is only to be expected, and
Fanny was not allowed to imagine anything else.

'''This is the Assembly night, 'said William. * If
I were at Portsmouth, I should be at it perhaps.'

" ' But you do not wish yourself at Portsmouth,
William ? '

'" No, Fanny, that I do not. I shall have enough
of Portsmouth, and of dancing too, when I cannot
have you. And I do not know that there would
be any good in going to the Assembly, for I might
not get a partner. The Portsmouth girls turn up
their noses at anybody who has not a commission.
One might as well be nothing as a midshipman.
One is nothing, indeed. You remember the

Two Midshipmen

Gregorys ; they are grown up amazing fine girls,
but they will hardly speak to me, because Lucy is
courted by a lieutenant.'

** * Oh ! Shame, shame ! But never mind it,
William (her own cheeks in a glow of indignation
as she spoke). It is not worth minding. It is no
reflection on you ; it is no more than the greatest
admirals have all experienced, more or less, In their
time. You must think of that ; you must try to
make up your mind to it as one of the hardships
which fall to every sailor's share — like bad weather
and hard living — only with this advantage, that
there will be an end to it, that there will come a
time when you will have nothing of that sort to
endure. When you are a lieutenant ! — only think,
William, when you are a lieutenant, how little
you will care for any nonsense of this kind.' "

CHAPTER III

CHANGES AND CHANCES IN THE NAVY

\ Francis obtained his Lieutenant's commission in
1792, serving for a year in the East Indies, and
afterwards on the home station. Early pro-
motions were frequent in those days of the Navy ;
and, in many ways, no doubt, this custom was a
good one, as the younger men had the dash and
assurance which was needed, when success lay
mainly in the power of making rapid decisions.
Very early advancement had nevertheless decided
disadvantages, and it was among the causes that
brought about the mutinies of 1797. There are
four or five cases on record of boys being made
captains before they were eighteen, and pro-
motions often went so much by favour and so
little by real merit that the discontent of the
crews commanded by such inexperienced officers
was not at all to be wondered at. There were
many other long-standing abuses, not the least of
which was the system of punishments, frightful
in their severity. A few instances of these, taken

Changes and Chances in the Navy

at haphazard from the logs of the various ships
on which Francis Austen served as Lieutenant will
illustrate this point.

Glory, December 8, 1795. — ** Punished P. C.
Smith forty-nine lashes for theft."

January 14, 1796. — ** Punished sixteen seamen
with one dozen lashes each for neglect of duty in
being off the deck in their watch."

Punishments were made as public as possible.
The following entry is typical :

Seahorse, December 9, 1797. — '' Sent a boat to
attend punishments round the fleet."

In the log of the London, one of the ships ot
the line blockading Cadiz, just after the fearful
mutinies of 1797, we find, as might be expected,
that punishments were more severe than ever.

August 16, 1798. — ''Marlborough made the
signal for punishment. Sent three boats manned
and armed to attend the punishment of Charles
Moore (seaman belonging to the Marlborough),
who was sentenced to receive one hundred lashes
for insolence to his superior officer. Read the
articles of war and sentence of Court-martial to
the ship's company. The prisoner received
twenty-five lashes alongside this ship."

In the case of a midshipman court-martialled
for robbing a Portuguese boat, ''the charges having
been proved, he was sentenced to be turned before
the mast, to have his uniform stripped off him on

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

the quarter-deck before all the ship's company, to
have his head shaved, and to be rendered for ever
incapable of serving as a petty officer."

No fewer than six executions are recorded in
the log of the London as taking place among the
ships of the fleet off Cadiz. Only one instance is
mentioned where the offender was pardoned by
the commander-in-chief on account of previous
good conduct. Earl St. Vincent certainly deserved
his reputation as a disciplinarian.

When, in addition to the system of punishment,
it is further considered that the food was almost
always rough and very often uneatable, that most
of the crews were pressed men, who would rather
have been at any other work, and that the seamen's
share in any possible prizes was ludicrously small,
one wonders, not at the mutinies, but at the
splendid loyalty shown when meeting the enemy.

It is a noticeable fact that discontent was rife
during long times of inaction (whilst blockading
Cadiz is the notable instance), but when it came
to fighting for their country men and officers alike
managed to forget their grievances.

On May 29, the log of the London is as follows :

''The Marlborough anchored in the middle of
the line. At seven the Marlborough made the
signal for punishment. Sent our launch, barge
and cutter, manned and armed, to attend the
execution of Peter Anderson, belonging to the

Changes and Chances in the Navy

Marlborough, who was sentenced to suffer death
for mutiny. Read the sentence of the court-
martial, and the articles of war to the ship's
company. At nine the execution took place."
This is a record of an eye-witness of the historic
scene which put a stop to organised mutiny in the
Cadiz fleet.

The narrative has been often told. Lord St.
Vincent's order to the crew of the Marlborough
that they alone should execute their comrade, the
leader of the mutiny — the ship moored at a central
point, and surrounded by all the men-of-war's
boats armed with carronades under the charge of
expert gunners — the Marlborough' s own guns
housed and secured, and ports lowered — every
precaution adopted in case of resistance to the
Admiral's orders — and the result, in the words of
the commander-in-chief: " Discipline is pre-
served."

Perhaps the relief felt in the fleet was expressed
in some measure by the salute of seventeen guns
recorded on the same day, '' being the anniversary
of King Charles' restoration."

Gradually matters were righted. Very early
promotions were abolished, and throughout the
Navy efforts were made on the part of the officers
to make their men more comfortable, and espe-
cially to give them better and more wholesome
food — but reforms must always be slow if they are

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

to do good and not harm, and, necessarily, the
lightening of punishments which seem to us bar-
barous was the slowest of all.

The work of the pressgang is always a subject
of some interest and romance. It is difficult to
realise that it was a properly authorised Govern-
ment measure. There were certain limits in which
it might work, certain laws to be obeyed. The
most useful men, those who were already at sea,
but not in the King's service, could not legally be
impressed, unless they were free from all former
obligations, and the same rule applied to appren-
tices. These rules were not, however, strictly
kept, and much trouble was often caused by the
wrong men being impressed, or by false state-
ments being used to get others off. The following
letter, written much later in his career by Francis
Austen when he was Captain of the Leopard in
1 804, gives a typical case of this kind.

Leopard^ Dungeness, August 10, 1804.

'* Sir, — I have to acknowledge the receipt of
your letter of the 17th inst., with the enclosure,
relative to Harris Walker, said to be chief mate
of the Fanny, and in reply thereto have the
honour to inform you that the said Harris Walker
was impressed from on board the brig Fanny, off
Dungeness, by Lieutenant Taylor of his Majesty's
ship under my command, on the evening of the

Changes and Chances in the Navy

7th inst., because no documents proving him to be
actually chief mate of the brig were produced, and
because the account he gave of himself was un-
satisfactory and contradictory. On examining
him the following day he at first confessed to me
that he had entered on board the Fanny only
three days before she sailed from Tobago, in
consequence of the captain (a relation of his)
being taken ill, and shortly afterwards he asserted
that the whole of the cargo had been taken on
board and stowed under his direction. The
master of the Fanny told Lieutenant Taylor that
his cargo had been shipped more than a fortnight
before he sailed, having been detained for want
of a copy of the ship's register, she being a prize
purchased and fitted at Tobago. From these
very contradictory accounts — from the man's
having no affidavit to produce of his being actual
chief mate of the brig, from his not having signed
any articles as such — and from his handwriting
totally disagreeing with the Log- Book (said to
have been kept by himself) I felt myself perfectly
justified in detaining him for his Majesty's service.

" I return the enclosure, and have the honour
to be,

** Sir, your obedient humble servant,

*' Francis Wm. Austen.

*' Thomas Louis, Esq.,

'* Rear- Admiral of the Blue."

33 c

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The reason assigned, that the reports Harris
Walker gave of himself were ** unsatisfactory
and contradictory," seems to us a bad one for
** detaining him for his Majesty's service," but it
shows clearly how great were the difficulties in
keeping up the supply of men. Captain Austen
had not heard the last of this man, as the belief
seems to have been strong that he was not legally
impressed. Harris Walker, however, settled the
matter by deserting on October 5.

An entry in the log of the newly built frigate
Triton, under Captain Gore, gives an instance of
wholesale, and one would think entirely illegal
action.

November 25, 1796, in the Thames (Long
Reach).

** Sent all the boats to impress the crew of the
Britannia East India ship. The boats returned
with thirty-nine men, the remainder having armed
themselves and barricaded the bread room."

** 26th, the remainder of the Britannia crew
surrendered, being twenty-three. Brought them
on board."

So great was the necessity of getting more
men, and a better stamp of men, into the Navy,
and of making them fairly content when there,
that in 1800 a Royal Proclamation was issued
encouraging men to enlist, and promising them a
bounty.

Changes and Chances in the Navy

This bounty, though it worked well in many-
cases, was of course open to various forms of
abuse. Some who were entitled to it did not get
it, and many put in a claim whose right was at least
doubtful. An instance appears in the letters of the
Leopard oi a certain George Rivers, who had been
entered as a ''prestman," and applied success-
fully to be considered as a Volunteer, thereby to
procure the bounty. He evidently wanted to
make the best of his position.

The case of Thomas Roberts, given in another
letter from the Leopard, is an example of induce-
ments offered to enter the service.

Thomas Roberts ''appears to have been
received as a Volunteer from H.M.S. Ceres, and
received thirty shillings bounty. He says he was
apprenticed to his father about three years ago,
and that, sometime last October, he was enticed to
a public-house by two men, who afterwards took
him on board the receiving ship off the Tower,
where he was persuaded to enter the service."

The difficulty of getting an adequate crew seems
to have led in some cases to sharp practice among
the officers themselves, if we are to believe that
Admiral Croft had real cause for complaint.

" ' If you look across the street,' he says to Anne
Elliot, ' you will see Admiral Brand coming
down, and his brother. Shabby fellows, both of
them ! I am glad they are not on this side of the

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

way. Sophy cannot bear them. They played me
a pitiful trick once ; got away some of my best
men. I will tell you the whole story another
time.' " But ''another time " never comes, so we
are reduced to imagining the " pitiful trick."

The unpopularity of the Navy, and the con-
sequent shorthandedness in time of war, had one
very bad result in bringing into it all sorts of
undesirable foreigners, who stirred up strife
among the better disposed men, and altogether
aggravated the evils of the service.

Undoubtedly the care of the officers for their
men was doing its gradual work in lessening all
these evils. To instance this, we find, as we read
on in the letters and official reports of Francis
Austen, that the entry, ' ' the man named in the
margin did run from his Majesty's ship under my
command," comes with less and less frequency ;
and we have on record that the Aurora, under the
command of Captain Charles Austen, did not lose
a single man by sickness or desertion during the
years 1 826-1 828, whilst he was in command.
Even when some allowance is made for his
undoubted charm of personality, this is a strong
evidence of the real improvements which had been
worked in the Navy during thirty years.

With such constant difficulties and discomforts
to contend with, it seems in some ways remark-
able that the Navy should have been so popular as

Changes and Chances in the Navy

a profession among the classes from which officers
were drawn. Some of this popularity, and no
doubt a large share, was the effect of a strong
feeling of patriotism, and some was due to the fact
that the Navy was a profession in which it was
possible to get on very fast. A man of moderate
luck and enterprise was sure to make some sort of
mark, and if to this he added any ** interest" his
success was assured. Success, in those days of
the Navy, meant money. It is difficult for us to
realise the large part played by ** prizes " in the
ordinary routine work of the smallest sloop. In
the case of Captain Wentworth, a very fair average
instance, we know that when he engaged himself
to Anne Elliot, he had ** nothing but himself to
recommend him, no hopes of attaining influence,
but in the chances of a most uncertain profession,
and no connexions to secure even his farther rise
in that profession," yet we find that his hopes for
his own advancement were fully justified. Jane
Austen would have been very sure to have heard
of it from Francis if not from Charles, if she had
made Captain Wentworth's success much more
remarkable than that of the ordinary run of men
in such circumstances.

We are clearly told what those circumstances
were.

'* Captain Wentworth had no fortune. He had
been lucky in his profession ; but spending freely

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

what had come freely had realised nothing. But
he was confident that he would soon be rich ; full
of life and ardour, he knew that he would soon
have a ship, and soon be on a station that would
lead to everything he wanted. He had always
been lucky ; he knew he should be so still." Later,
'* all his sanguine expectations, all his confidence
had been justified. His genius and ardour had
seemed to foresee and to command his prosperous
path. He had, very soon after their engagement
ceased, got employ ; and all that he had told her
would follow had taken place. He had distin-
guished himself, and early gained the other step
in rank, and must now, by successive captures,
have made a handsome fortune. She had only
Navy Lists and newspapers for her authority, but
she could not doubt his being rich."

Such were some of the inducements. That
'* Jack ashore " was a much beloved person
may also have had its influence. Anne Elliot
speaks for the greater part of the nation when
she says, *' the Navy, I think, who have done
so much for us, have at least an equal claim
with any other set of men, for all the com-
forts and all the privileges which any home
can give. Sailors work hard enough for their
comforts we must allow."

That Sir Walter Elliot represents another large
section of the community is, however, not to be

Changes and Chances in the Navy-
denied, but his opinions are not of the sort to act
as a deterrent to any young man bent on following
a gallant profession.

**Sir Walter's remark was: *The profession
has its utility, but I should be sorry to see any
friend of mine belonging to it."

** * Indeed!' was the reply, and with a look of
surprise.

*' * Yes, it is in two points offensive to me ; I
have two strong grounds of objection to it.
First, as being the means of bringing persons'*,
of obscure birth into undue distinction, and raising \
men to honours which their fathers and grand-
fathers never dreamt of ; and, secondly, as it
cuts up a man's youth and vigour most horribly ;
a sailor grows old sooner than any other man. I
have observed it all my life. A man is in greater
danger in the Navy of being insulted by the rise of
one whose father his father might have disdained
to speak to, and of becoming prematurely an
object of disgust to himself, than in any other line.
One day last spring in town I was in company
with two men, striking instances of what I am
talking of : Lord St. Ives, whose father we all know
to have been a country curate, without bread to
eat : I was to give place to Lord St. Ives, and a
certain Admiral Baldwin, the most deplorable-
looking personage you can imagine ; his face the
colour of mahogany, rough and rugged to the last

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

degree ; all lines and wrinkles, nine grey hairs of
a side, and nothing but a dab of powder at top.'

" * In the name of heaven, who is that old
fellow ? ' said I to a friend of mine who was
standing near (Sir Basil Morley), * Old fellow ! '
cried Sir Basil, 'it is Admiral Baldwin.'
*' * What do you take his age to be ? '
" 'Sixty,' said I, *or perhaps sixty-two.'
'** Forty,' replied Sir Basil, 'forty, and no
more.'

'* * Picture to yourselves my amazement. I shall
not easily forget Admiral Baldwin. I never saw
quite so wretched an example of what a seafaring
life can do ; they all are knocked about, and
exposed to every climate and every weather till
they are not fit to be seen. It is a pity they are
not knocked on the head at once, before they
reach Admiral Baldwin's age.' "

CHAPTER JV

PROMOTIONS

As Lieutenant, Francis Austen had very different
experience and surroundings to those of his days
as a midshipman. For three years and more he
was in various ships on the home station, which
meant a constant round of dull routine work, en-
livened only by chances of getting home for a few
days. While serving in the Lark sloop, he ac-
companied to Cuxhaven the squadron told off to
bring to England Princess Caroline of Brunswick,
soon to become Princess of Wales. The voyage
out seems to have been arctic in its severity.
This bad weather, combined with dense fogs,
caused the Lark to get separated from the rest
of the squadron, and from March 6 till the 1 1 th
nothing was seen or heard of the sloop. On
March 1 8 the Princess came on board the Jupiter,
the flagship of the squadron, and arrived in
England on April 5 after a fair passage, but a
voyage about as long as that to the Cape of Good
Hope nowadays.

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

Francis notes in the log of the Glory, that
while cruising/ ' the 7?^/f//£?r cutter joined company,
and informed us she yesterday spoke H.M.S.
Dcedalus " — a matter of some interest to him, as
Charles was then on board the Dadalus as mid-
shipman, under Captain Thomas Williams. Captain
Williams had married Jane Cooper, a cousin ot
Jane Austen, who was inclined to tease him about
his having ''no taste in names." The following
extract from one of her letters to Cassandra
touches on nearly all these facts :

" Sunday, /anwaf^y lo, 1796.

" By not returning till the 19th, you will exactly
contrive to miss seeing the Coopers, which I
suppose it is your wish to do. We have heard
nothing from Charles for some time. One would
suppose they must have sailed by this time, as the
wind is so favourable. What a funny name Tom
has got for his vessel ! But he has no taste in
names, as we well know, and I dare say he
christened it himself."

Tom seems to have been a great favourite with
his wife's cousins. Only a few days later Jane
writes :

'* How impertinent you are to write to me about
Tom, as if I had not opportunities of hearing from
him myself. The last letter I received from him

Promotions

was dated on Friday the 8th, and he told me that
if the wind should be favourable on Sunday, which
it proved to be, they were to sail from Falmouth
on that day. By this time, therefore, they are at
Barbadoes, I suppose."

Having the two brothers constantly backwards
and forwards must have been very pleasant at
Steventon. Almost every letter has some refer-
ence to one or the other.

** Edward and Frank are both gone forth to seek
their fortunes ; the latter is to return soon and help
us to seek ours."

Later from Rowling, Edward Austen's home,
she writes :

'* If this scheme holds, I shall hardly be at
Steventon before the middle of the month ; but if
you cannot do without me I could return, I sup-
pose, with Frank, if he ever goes back. He enjoys
himself here very much, for he has just learnt to
turn, and is so delighted with the employment that
he is at it all day long. . . . What a fine fellow
Charles is, to deceive us into writing two letters
to him at Cork ! I admire his ingenuity extremely,
especially as he is so great a gainer by it. . . .
Frank has turned a very nice little butter-churn for
Fanny. . . . We walked Frank last night to (church
at) Crixhall Ruff, and he appeared much edified.
So his Royal Highness Sir Thomas Williams has
at length sailed ; the papers say * on a cruise.'

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

But I hope they are gone to Cork, or I shall have
written in vain. . . . Edward and Fly (short for
Frank) went out yesterday very early in a couple
of shooting-jackets, and came home like a couple
of bad shots, for they killed nothing at all.

** They are out again to-day, and are not yet
returned. Delightful sport ! They are just come
home — Edward with his two brace, Frank with
his two and a half. What amiable young men ! "

About the middle of September 1796 Frank
was appointed to the Triton, which event is an-
nounced to Cassandra in these terms :

*' This morning has been spent in doubt and
deliberation, forming plans and removing difficul-
ties, for it ushered in the day with an event which
I had not intended should take place so soon by a
week. Frank has received his appointment on
board the Captain John Gore, commanded by the
Triton, and will therefore be obliged to be in
town on Wednesday ; and though I have every
disposition in the world to accompany him on
that day, I cannot go on the uncertainty of the
Pearsons being at home.

" The Triton is a new 3 2 -frigate, just launched
at Deptford. Frank is much pleased with the
prospect of having Captain Gore under his com-
mand."

Francis stayed on board the Triton for about
eighteen months. He then spent six months in

■-■^T:

FRANCIS AUSTEN IN 1 796

Promotions

the Seahorse before his appointment to the London
off Cadiz, in February 1798. On April 30 follow-
ing is recorded in the log of the London the ar-
rival of H. M.S. Vanguard, carrying Rear- Admiral
Sir Horatio Nelson's flag, and on May 3 the
Vanguard proceeded to Gibraltar. On May 24
the ** detached squadron" sailed as follows: Cul-
loden (Captain Troubridge), Bellerophon, Defence,
Theseus, Goliath, Zealous, Minotaur, Majestic, and
Swiftsure.

These three entries foreshadow the Battle of the
Nile, on August i. The account of this victory
was read to the crew of the London on September
27, and on October 24 they "saw eleven sail in
the south-west — the Orion and the French line of
battleships, prizes to Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson's
fleet."

Now and then the London went as far as Ceuta
or Gibraltar, and the log notes, '* Cape Trafalgar
East 7 leagues."

It is curious to think that ** Trafalgar " conveyed
nothing remarkable to the writer. One wonders
too what view would have been expressed as to
the plan of making Gibraltar a naval command,
obviously advantageous in twentieth-century con-
ditions, but probably open to many objections in
those days.

Charles, in December 1797, was promoted to
be a Lieutenant, serving in the Scorpion. There

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

is something In the account of William Price's joy-
over his promotion which irresistibly calls up the
picture of Charles in the same circumstances.
Francis would always have carried his honours
with decorum, but Charles' bubbling enthusiasm
would have been more difficult to restrain.

** William had obtained a ten days' leave of
absence, to be given to Northamptonshire, and
was coming to show his happiness and describe
his uniform. He came, and he would have been
delighted to show his uniform there too, had not
cruel custom prohibited its appearance except on
duty. So the uniform remained at Portsmouth,
and Edmund conjectured that before Fanny had
any chance of seeing it, all its own freshness, and
all the freshness of its wearer's feelings, must be
worn away. It would be sunk into a badge of
disgrace ; for what can be more unbecoming or
more worthless than the uniform of a lieutenant
who has been a lieutenant a year or two, and sees
others made commanders before him ? So
reasoned Edmund, till his father made him the
confidant of a scheme which placed Fanny's
chance of seeing the Second Lieutenant of
H.M.S. Thrush in all his glory, in another light.
This scheme was that she should accompany her
brother back to Portsmouth, and spend a little
time with her own family. William was almost
as happy in the plan as his sister. It would be

Promotions

the greatest pleasure to him to have her there to
the last moment before he sailed, and perhaps find
her there still when he came in from his first
cruise. And, besides, he wanted her so very much
to see the Thrush before she went out of harbour
(the Thrush was certainly the finest sloop in the
service). And there were several improvements
in the dockyard, too, which he quite longed to show
her. ... Of pleasant talk between the brother
and sister there was no end. Everything supplied
an amusement to the high glee of William's mind,
and he was full of frolic and joke in the intervals
of their high-toned subjects, all of which ended,
if they did not begin, in praise of the Thrush —
conjectures how she would be employed, schemes
for an action with some superior force, which (sup-
posing the first lieutenant out of the way — and
William was not very merciful to the first lieu-
tenant) was to give himself the next step as soon
as possible, or speculations upon prize-money,
which was to be generously distributed at home
with only the reservation of enough to make the
little cottage comfortable in which he and Fanny
were to pass all their middle and later life to-
gether."

Charles's year in the Scorpion was spent under
the command of Captain John Tremayne Rodd.
The chief event was the capture of the Courier,
a Dutch brig carrying six guns. Undoubtedly the

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

life was dull on a small brig, and Charles as mid-
shipman had not been used to be dull. He
evidently soon began to be restless, and to agitate
for removal, which he got just about the same
time as that of Francis's promotion.

In December 1798 Francis was made Com-
mander of the Peterel sloop, and Charles, still as
Lieutenant, was moved from the Scorpion to the
frigate Tamar, and eventually to the Endymion,
commanded by his old friend and captain, Sir
Thomas Williams.

Charles had evidently written to his sister
Cassandra to complain of his hard lot. Cassandra
was away at the time, staying with Edward Austen
at Godmersham, but she sent the letter home,
and on December 18 Jane writes in answer :

*' I am sorry our dear Charles begins to feel
the dignity of ill-usage. My father will write to
Admiral Gambler" (who was then one of the
Lords of the Admiralty). *' He must have already
received so much satisfaction from his acquaintance
and patronage of Frank, that he will be delighted,
I dare say, to have another of the family intro-
duced to him. I think it would be very right in
Charles to address Sir Thomas on the occasion,
though I cannot approve of your scheme of writing
to him (which you communicated to me a few
nights ago) to request him to come home and
convey you to Steventon. To do you justice,

Promotions

you had some doubts of the propriety of such a
measure yourself. The letter to Gambler goes
to-day."

This is followed, on December 24, by a letter
which must have been as delightful to write as to
receive.

** I have got some pleasant news for you which
I am eager to communicate, and therefore begin
my letter sooner, though I shall not send it sooner
than usual. Admiral Gambler, in reply to my
father's application, writes as follows : ' As it is
usual to keep young officers ' (Charles was then
only nineteen) ' in small vessels, it being most
proper on account of their inexperience, and it
being also a situation where they are more in the
way of learning their duty, your son has been
continued in the Scorpion ; but I have mentioned
to the Board of Admiralty his wish to be in a
frigate, and when a proper opportunity offers, and
It is judged that he has taken his turn in a small
ship, I hope he will be removed. With regard to
your son now in the London, I am glad I can
give you the assurance that his promotion is likely
to take place very soon, as Lord Spencer has
been so good as to say he would include him
in an arrangement that he proposes making in a
short time relative to some promotions in that
quarter.'

"■ There ! I may now finish my letter and go

49 i>

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

and hang myself, for I am sure I can neither
write nor do anything which will not appear
insipid to you after this. Now I really think he
will soon be made, and only wish we could com-
municate our foreknowledge of the event to him
whom it principally concerns. My father has
written to Daysh to desire that he will inform us,
if he can, when the commission is sent. Your
chief wish is now ready to be accomplished, and
could Lord Spencer give happiness to Martha at
the same time, what a joyful heart he would make
of yours! "

It is quite clear from this, and many other ot
the letters of Jane to Cassandra, that both sisters
were anxious to bring off a match between Frank
and their great friend, Martha Lloyd, whose
younger sister was the wife of James Austen.
Martha Lloyd eventually became Frank's second
wife nearly thirty years after the date of this
letter.

Jane continues her letter by saying :
'* I have sent the same extract of the sweets of
Gambler to Charles, who, poor fellow ! though he
sinks into nothing but an humble attendant on the
hero of the piece, will, I hope, be contented with
the prospect held out to him. By what the Ad-
miral says, it appears as if he had been designedly
kept in the Scorpion. But I will not torment
myself with conjectures and suppositions. Facts

Promotions

shall satisfy me. Frank had not heard from any
of us for ten weeks, when he wrote to me on
November 12, In consequence of Lord St. Vincent
being removed to Gibraltar. When his commis-
sion is sent, however, it will not be so long on its
road as our letters, because all the Government
despatches are forwarded by land to his lordship
from Lisbon with great regularity. The lords
of the Admiralty will have enough of our appli-
cations at present, for I hear from Charles that he
has written to Lord Spencer himself to be re-
moved. I am afraid his Serene Highness will be
in a passion, and order some of our heads to be
cut off."

The next letter, of December 28, is the cul-
minating-point :

** Frank is made. He was yesterday raised to
the rank of Commander, and appointed to the
Peterel sloop, now at Gibraltar. A letter from
Daysh has just announced this, and as it is con-
firmed by a very friendly one from Mr. Matthew
to the same effect, transcribing one from Admiral
Gambler to the General, we have no reason to
suspect the truth of it.

** As soon as you have cried a little for joy,
you may go on, and learn farther that the
India House have taken Captain Austen's petition
into consideration — this comes from Daysh — and
likewise that Lieutenant Charles John Austen is

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

removed to the Tamar frigate — this comes from
the Admiral. We cannot find out where the
Tamar is, but I hope we shall now see Charles
here at all events.

'' This letter is to be dedicated entirely to good
news. If you will send my father an account of
your washing and letter expenses, &c., he will
send you a draft for the amount of it, as well as
for your next quarter, and for Edward's rent. If
you don't buy a muslin gown on the strength of
this money and Frank's promotion I shall never
forgive you.

*' Mrs. Lefroy has just sent me word that Lady
Dorchester meant to invite me to her ball on
January 8, which, though an humble blessing
compared with what the last page records, I do
not consider any calamity. I cannot write any
more now, but I have written enough to make you
very happy, and therefore may safely conclude."

Jane was in great hopes that Charles would
get home in time for this ball at Kempshot, but he
'' could not get superceded in time," and so did not
arrive until some days later. On January 21 we
find him going off to join his ship, not very well
pleased with existing arrangements.

''Charles leaves us to-night. The Tamar is in
the Downs, and Mr. Daysh advises him to join
her there directly, as there is no chance of her
going to the westward. Charles does not approve

Promotions

of this at all, and will not be much grieved if he
should be too late for her before she sails, as he
may then hope to get a better station. He at-
tempted to go to town last night, and got as far
on his road thither as Dean Gate ; but both the
coaches were full, and we had the pleasure of
seeing him back again. He will call on Daysh
to-morrow, to know whether the Tamar has sailed
or not, and if she is still at the Downs he will
proceed in one of the night coaches to Deal.

** I want to go with him, that I may explain the
country properly to him between Canterbury and
Rowling, but the unpleasantness of returning by
myself deters me. I should like to go as far as
Ospringe with him very much indeed, that I might
surprise you at Godmersham."

Charles evidently did get off this time, for we
read a few days later that he had written from the
Downs, and was pleased to find himself Second
Lieutenant on board the Tamar.

The Endymion was also in the Downs, a further
cause of satisfaction. It was only three weeks later
that Charles was reappointed to the Endymion as
Lieutenant, in which frigate he saw much service,
chiefly off Algeciras, under his old friend '' Tom."
One is inclined to wonder how far this accidental
meeting in the Downs influenced the appointment.
Charles appears on many occasions to have had a
quite remarkable gift for getting what he wanted.

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

His charm of manner, handsome face, and affec-
tionate disposition, combined with untiring enthu-
siasm, must have made him very hard to resist,
and he evidently had no scruple about making his
wants clear to all whom it might concern. The
exact value of interest in these matters is always
difficult to gauge, but there is no doubt that a
well-timed application was nearly always necessary
for advancement. The account of the way in
which Henry Crawford secured promotion for
William Price is no doubt an excellent example
of how things were done.

Henry takes William to dinner with the Ad-
miral, and encourages him to talk. The Admiral
takes a fancy to the young man, and speaks to
some friends about him with a view to his promo-
tion. The result is contained in the letters which
Henry so joyfully hands over to Fanny to read.

** Fanny could not speak, but he did not want
her to speak. To see the expression of her eyes,
the change of her complexion, the progress of her
feelings — their doubt, confusion and felicity — was
enough. She took the letters as he gave them.
The first was from the Admiral to inform his
nephew, in a few words, of his having succeeded
in the object he had undertaken (the promotion
of young Price), and enclosing two more — one
from the secretary of the First Lord to a friend,
whom the Admiral had set to work in the business ;

Promotions

the other from that friend to himself, by which it
appeared that his lordship had the very great
happiness of attending to the recommendation of
Sir Charles ; that Sir Charles was much delighted
in having such an opportunity of proving his regard
for Admiral Crawford, and that the circumstances
of Mr. William Price's commission as Second
Lieutenant of H.M. sloop Thrush being made out,
was spreading general joy through a wide circle
of great people."

CHAPTER V

THE PETEREL SLOOP

It will, perhaps, be as well to recall some of the
principal events of the war, during the few years
before Francis took up his command of the
Peter el, in order that his work may be better
understood.

Spain had allied herself with France in 1796,
and early in the following year matters looked
most unpromising for England. The British
fleet had been obliged to leave the Mediterranean.
Bonaparte was gaining successes against Austria
on land. The peace negotiations, which had
been begun by France, had been peremptorily
stopped, while the French expedition to Ireland
obviously owed its failure to bad weather, and not
in the least to any effective interference on the
part of the British Navy. Altogether the horizon
was dark, and every one in England was expect-
ing to hear of crushing disaster dealt out by the
combined fleets of France and Spain, and all
lived in fear of invasion. Very different was the

The Peterel Sloop

news that arrived In London early In March. Sir
John Jervis, with Nelson and Collingwood, met
the Spanish fleet off Cape St. Vincent on
Valentine's Day, and we all know the result. As
Jervis said on the morning of the fight, '' A victory
was essential to England at this moment." The
confidence of the nation returned, and was not
lost again through the hard struggle of the follow-
ing years. An extract from the log of Lieutenant
F. W. Austen, on board the frigate Seahorse, in
the Hamoaze, October 6, 1797, reads as follows '-
" Came into harbour the San Josef , Salvador del
MundOy San Nicolai, and San Isidore, Spanish
line-of-battle ships, captured by the fleet under
Lord St. Vincent on the 14th February."

After their defeat, the remainder of the Spanish
fieet entered the port of Cadiz, and were for the
next two years blockaded by Admiral Jervis, now
Earl St. Vincent. In this blockade, Francis
Austen took part, serving In the London,

During this time of comparative Inaction, the
fearful mutinies, described in a former chapter,
seemed to be sapping the strength of the Navy.
The greater number of the British ships were
concentrated in the Channel under Lord Bridport,
and were employed in watching the harbour of
Brest, in order to prevent the French fleet from
escaping, with what success we shall presently
tell. Our flag was scarcely to be seen inside the

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

Mediterranean except on a few sloops of war.
Each side was waiting- for some movement of
aggression from the other. Now was Bonaparte's
chance to get to the East. His plans were quietly
and secretly formed. An armament was prepared
at Toulon almost unknown to the British, and at
the same time all possible measures to avert sus-
picion were taken. The Spanish fleet in Cadiz
formed up as if for departure, and so kept Lord St.
Vincent on the watch, while Bonaparte himself
stayed in Paris until the expedition was quite ready
to start, in order to give the idea that the invasion
of England was intended. Still it was not prac-
ticable to keep the preparations entirely secret
for any length of time.

Early in April 1798 Nelson sailed from
England, joined St. Vincent at Cadiz, and imme-
diately went on into the Mediterranean, with three
ships of the line, to reconnoitre. He was rein-
forced by nine more under Troubridge, and Lord
St. Vincent had orders from home to follow with
the entire squadron if it should prove necessary.
Nelson searched for Bonaparte in the Mediter-
ranean, and missed him twice. The French
seized Malta for the sake of getting their supplies
through, but the British as promptly blockaded it.
At last, on August i. Nelson came upon the
French fleet anchored in Aboukir Bay, and the
Battle of the Nile was fought. The situation

The Peterel Sloop

now created can be briefly summarised. Bona-
parte was in Egypt, cut off from all communication
with France, and however determinedly he might
turn his face towards Africa or Asia his position
was a serious one. Turkey almost immediately
declared war against France. Malta was still
closely blockaded by the British. Nelson had
established himself at Palermo, on friendly terms
with the King of Naples, who had taken refuge
in Sicily. The news of the Battle of the Nile had
spread far and wide, and France had good reason
to fear that the tide had turned against her.

Early in 1799 Bonaparte attacked Acre, and
Sir Sydney Smith was sent to harass his forces,
and to compel him, if possible, to raise the
siege.

At this time occurred one of those events
which show how a slight advantage, properly
used, may decide the final issue. Matters were
in this critical state ; every British ship in and
near the Mediterranean was employed at some
important work, when that happened which might
have been the cause of serious disaster. Admiral
Bruix got away from Brest with a fleet of twenty-
five sail of the line and ten smaller ships.

The blame of this mishap is not at all easy to
attach. Lord Bridport was still in command of
the Channel Fleet, but the Admiralty seemed to
prefer to keep him in touch with headquarters off

Tane Austen's Sailor Brothers

the coast of Kent, rather than to allow him to main-
tain a position whence he could more easily keep
watch on the French fleet. Now ensued an ex-
citing time. No one knew where the French
fleet was, much less whither it was bound. They
had escaped in a thick fog, being seen only by
La Nymphe, one of the British frigates, whose
officers, owing to the density of the fog, imagined
that they saw the fleet bring to under the land, and
signalled accordingly to Lord Bridport. When
the fog lifted the French fleet was no longer in
sight.

Of course the first idea was that they had gone
to Ireland, and off went Lord Bridport to pursue
them. A little later news was received that they
had sailed southward, and a correspondent at this
time writes : *' Lord St. Vincent will have a fine
field to exert his talents if the French fleet join
the Spanish, after capturing Lisbon."

On the morning of May 5, from the Rock
of Gibraltar, Lord St. Vincent saw, with the
deepest anxiety, the French fleet running before
a westerly gale into the Mediterranean. His most
immediate fear was lest Bruix should be on his
way to help Bonaparte at Acre, and to overwhelm
Sydney Smith's squadron. If so, the question
was how to stop him. Lord Bridport s fleet was
useless, as it was not until nearly four weeks later
that he was able to send help. Lord Keith was

The Peterel Sloop

blockading Cadiz. If he left, the whole Spanish
fleet would be released and at liberty to attack
where they would. Nelson was at Palermo with
only one British line-of-battle ship, and great would
be the consternation in the town if that one ship
were to be withdrawn. A small squadron was
blockading Malta, and a few ships were at Minorca
under Commodore Duckworth, but Port Mahon
was not yet fully garrisoned. Troubridge was
outside Naples. Bruix might attack any of these
divisions with the full force of his fleet, or he
might proceed straight to Egypt. St. Vincent
had to determine which of these positions should
be abandoned in order to meet the French fleet.
He decided on ordering Keith into the Mediter-
ranean so as to concentrate the available forces,
sending word as far as possible to the outlying
squadrons.

To Nelson at Palermo he wrote that he ex-
pected the enemy to proceed to Malta and
Alexandria. This despatch was entrusted to the
Hyena, which fell in with the Peterel, now under
the command of Francis Austen. The Peterel
was already on the way to Nelson with a despatch
from Minorca, and, being a fast-sailing sloop, the
captain of the Hyena at once handed on the im-
portant paper to be delivered by Captain Austen.

The entries in the log of the Peterel at this date
tell their own story :

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

^' May lo. — On the passage from Minorca to
Palermo.

** 12 noon. — Offshore four or five miles.

** 2 o'clock. — Answered the private signal made
by a ship in the S.S.E.

*'4 o'clock. — Showed our pendants to a ship in
the S.S.E.

"5 o'clock. — Joined H.M.S. Hyena; lowered
the jolly-boat, and went on board.

*' lo past 5. — Up boat and made all sail ; the
Hyena parted company, standing to the N.W.

''May 12. A quarter past 9. — Saw a sail on
the lee bow, made the private signal to her, which
was answered. Made the signal for having gained
intelligence, and repeated it with four guns, but it
was not answered.

** 15 minutes past ii< — Hove to ; lowered the
jolly-boat and went on board the stranger, which
proved to be H.M.S. Pallas, with a convoy for
the westward.

** 20 minutes past 1 1 . — Up boat, filled, and made
all sail as before. Observed the Pallas bear up
and follow us with her convoy.

''May 13. — At daylight, Cape Trepano (in
Sicily). S.S.W. five or six leagues.

'* A quarter-past 3 p.m. — Shortened sail, backed
ship, hove to and lowered the boat. The first
lieutenant went on shore with despatches for
Lord Nelson at Palermo.

The Peterel Sloop

** A quarter before 4. — The boat returned,
hoisted her up, and made all sail.

** Note. — The place at which the first lieu-
tenant landed was on the east side of the Bay,
between Cape St. Vito and Cape Alos, and about
twenty-four miles by road from Palermo."

The following is the letter which Captain
Austen sent to the Admiral, with the despatches :

" Peterel at Sea, off Cape St. Vito, May 13, 1799.

** My Lord, — I have the honour to inform your
Lordship that I sailed from the Island of Minorca
with his Majesty's sloop under my command, at
II A.M. on Friday, the loth inst, charged with the
accompanying despatch for your lordship, and the
same evening met his Majesty's ship Hyena,
about five leagues S.E. by S. of Fort Mahon,
from the captain of which I received the paper
enclosed ; and judging from the contents of it that
its speedy arrival must be of the utmost conse-
quence, and that a passage by land may be per-
formed in much less time than by sea, with the
wind as it now is at the E.S.E., I have directed
Mr. Staines, my first lieutenant, to land with
the despatch at Castella, and proceed with all
possible expedition to your lordship at Palermo,
to which place I shall carry his Majesty's sloop
as soon as I can.

*' I fell in with his Majesty s ship Pallas and

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

convoy yesterday at 1 1 a.m., about fifteen leagues
E.S.E. of Cape Carbonera, and, in consequence
of the Intelligence I gave the captain of that ship
bore up with his convoy for Palermo. I enclose
the state and condition of his Majesty's sloop
under my command, and have the honour to
be,

'* My lord,
** Your lordship's most obedient
" humble servant,

** Francis Wm. Austen.

" To the Rt. Hon. Lord Nelson, K.B.,
Etc., etc., etc."

''May 14. — At four o'clock hove to in Palermo
Bay. The first lieutenant returned on board.
At six o'clock filled and made all sail on the lar-
board tack, pinnace ahead towing."

Nelson was at this time short of small vessels
by which to send news. He therefore employed
the Peterel to go on to the blockading squadron
off Malta with orders, which were delivered on
board H.M.S. Goliath, about noon on May 19.
The Peterel \}i\^vi returned to Minorca.

Bruix, contrary to expectation, did nothing
with his chance. Probably the aim of the
Directory in sending him was to discover how
far Spain was to be relied upon for support, and
there may have been no intention of employing

The Peterel Sloop

him to help Bonaparte, but Brulx seems to
have had a free hand in the matter, so that his
own want of resolution and failure of insight are
the apparent causes of the expedition proving
inconclusive.

The Spanish fleet came out of Cadiz, as was
of course to be expected, and on May 30
Bruix sailed eastward from Toulon, getting into
communication with General Moreau at Genoa.
The great matter was to keep the two fleets
from combining, and this might be done by
following the French fleet and beating it. Lord
St. Vincent's health now entirely gave way, and
he was obliged to give up the command to Keith,
though it is probable he expected to have his
advice still followed. Lord Keith sailed away in
pursuit, but Bruix doubled on his tracks, and
keeping close in shore repassed Toulon, and got
down to Cartagena, where he met the Spanish
fleet. Keith, instead of taking up the command-
ing position earnestly recommended by St. Vin-
cent, let his chance slip by going back to Minorca,
which he supposed to be in danger, and thus the
conjunction of the fleets took place. It was how-
ever followed by no adverse results. Spain was
lukewarm, and Bruix sailed back to Brest, having
accomplished nothing but an addition of fifteen
ships to his fleet, to serve as a pledge for the
goodwill of the Spanish Government. Had Bruix

65 E

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

joined Bonaparte instead of the Spanish fleet,
very different results would almost certainly have
followed.

The following proclamation will show clearly
how important the support of Spain was felt to
be, and how anxious Bruix was lest there should
be any cause for disagreement.

'* In the name of the French Republic.

'' In the Road of Cartagena, on board the

Admiral's sloop the Ocean, dated 24th June,

in the seventh year of the French Republic,

Eustace Bruix commanding the French

fleet.

** Frenchmen and Republicans, — At last,

united with our faithful allies, we approach the

period when we shall punish England and relieve

Europe from all its tyranny. Although I have

no doubt, my brave friends, of the sentiments

which you have professed, I felt myself bound

to call upon you to give proofs of their sincerity

by every means in your power. Recollect that it

is for the interests of your country, and for your

own honour, to give to a nation, whom we esteem,

the highest opinion of us. That word alone is

enough for Frenchmen. Do not above all forget

that you are come among a just and generous

people, and our most faithful allies. Respect

their customs, their usages, their religion. In a

The Peterel Sloop

word, let everything be sacred to us. Think the
least departure from that which I am now pre-
scribing to you will be a crime in the eyes of
the Republic, for which it will be my duty to
punish you. But, on the contrary, I am convinced
that you will give me an opportunity of praising
your conduct, and that will be the greatest re-
compence I can receive.

^* E. Bruix."

Carrying Lord St. Vincent's letter to Nelson
seems to have been the first service of im-
portance which fell to the share of Captain Austen.
Perhaps some description of the more ordinary
happenings of the life on board of a sloop of war
may prove of interest. The change from the
position of First Lieutenant on board a ship of
the line to that of the Captain of a small vessel
must necessarily have been very marked.

Towards the end of 1798 the Peterel had had
the misfortune to be captured by the Spaniards,
who treated the captain (Charles Long) and his
crew very badly. The following day she was
rescued by the Argo, under Captain Bowen.
Francis Austen was then given the command, and
on February 27 we find him taking over his
new duties, the Peterel being then moored in
Gibraltar Bay.

The first few months were spent in cruising

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

about the west of the Mediterranean. Almost
every day there was a pursuit of some vessel of
more or less importance. Sometimes * ' the chace "
proved to be a friendly craft, sometimes she got
away, but not infrequently was captured and
overhauled. On one occasion, Francis Austen
remarks trenchantly, ** Our chace proved to be a
tower on the land."

Evidently the plan of procedure was always to
follow up and find out the nationality of any dis-
tant sail. If a friend, news was interchanged, and
often some help might be given. If an enemy, an
attack usually followed. One of these small en-
counters is described in the log of the date March
23, 1799, the Peterel then cruising off the south
side of Majorca.

** 1 1 o'clock. — Saw a latteen-sail boat, appearing
to be a privateer, just within the western point of
Cabrera. From the manoeuvres of this boat I judge
her to be a privateer. When we first saw her she
was on the starboard tack, and seemed to be exam-
ining us. I could just distinguish her hull from
the Catharpins. She appeared to be full of men.
She was rigged with one large latteen sail, and
might be about fifteen to twenty tons."

This boat was evidently not to be seen again
until " At a quarter past 3, perceived the chace
run round a point of the island into a cove, under
the protection of a castle situated on a high rock.

The Peterel Sloop

This was the same boat we saw in the forenoon.
Our appearance had evidently frightened them,
and they judged it prudent to keep snug till we
were gone by, and, at the time they ventured out,
supposed us too far off to distinguish them. It
was, indeed, with difficulty that we could, as the
distance was full three leagues, and their sail was
nearly the same colour as the rock along which
they were passing.

" The cove or haven into which the boat went
IS about three-quarters of a mile from the N.W.
point of the island, and is completely land-locked
by the two points which form it overlapping. We
were close in, not more than a quarter of a mile
from the westernmost of these points, but could
get no ground with forty fathoms line. The castle
is situated on a pinnacle rock or cliff on the eastern
side of the entrance, and from its situation I should
judge it difficult of access to an hostile approach.
They had not more than two guns in it, and those
were not more than four or six-pounders. Several
of their shot went over us, and others fell within
a few yards on each side of us, but not one struck
the ship. Ours all went on shore, and I believe
most of them struck the castle, but there was too
much motion to fire with very great precision.
This cove, from its situation, is a most excellent
place of resort for small privateers, as they are
secure from the effects of any wind, and can from

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

the height discover the approach of any vessel,
and be ready to push out on them when they may
be too close to the Island to effect their escape."

With nightfall this attack had to be abandoned,
and by six o'clock the next morning, March 24,
the Peterel was In pursuit of another '' chace."

" At a quarter past 8, hoisted out the pinnace
and launch and sent them to board the chace.

*'At 8 o'clock, I could discern with a glass
the privateer, with his sail furled, laying In his
oars, just within the west point of the cove, ready
to pop out on the Spanish boat, and, but for our
being so near, certainly would have recaptured
her, but when our boats put off from the ship he
went in again.

"At 10 o'clock, the boats returned with the
chace, which proved to be a Spanish coasting-
vessel of 20 tons, from Cadiz bound to Barcelona
with wheat, prize to the General Pigot, a privateer
belonging to Gibraltar. Supplied him with a few
baracoes of water.

"At II o'clock, in boats and made sail on the
larboard tack."

This account of a twenty-four hours on board
the Peterel will give some idea of the constant
interest and continual demand on the judgment
incidental to this life. This particular day, though
a full one, was barren of results. The privateer
got out of the way of the Peterel^ and the chace

The Peterel Sloop

which they did succeed in boarding had already
surrendered to another British ship. The entries
of a few days later, March 28, will show how
varying was the success of these encounters.
On that day they secured three prizes in twelve
hours.

** 5 o'clock A.M., saw a strange sail bear S.W.
by S. Bore up and set royal and steering sails
in chace.

** 8 o'clock. — Fresh breezes and clear weather ;
came up with the chace close off the west end of
Ivica. Shortened sail and hove to, sent a boat
on board ; she proved to be a Spanish brig laden
with barley, from Almeria bound to Barcelona.
Sent an officer and eight men to take possession,
and took all the Spaniards out of her.

*' At 10 o'clock. — Took her in tow, and made
sail to the eastward.

" At half-past 10. — Saw a brig at the south
part of Ivica, cast off the tow, and made all sail
in chace.

** Half-past II. — In steering sails.

** At noon. — Moderate and clear weather, pass-
ing through between Ivica and Formenterra,
prize in company.

** Half-past 12. — Fired five guns at the chace
to make her bring to, but without effect.

"At I o'clock. — She anchored close under a
signal tower with four guns on it. Hoisted out

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

the pinnace, and sent her armed under the
direction of the second lieutenant to board the
vessel.

** Half-past 2. — The pinnace returned with the
brig ; sent her away to cut out a small vessel,
which was then riding about half a mile to the
westward of the tower. The brig appears to
be French, but no one was found on board
her. Sent an officer and five men to take charge
of her.

'* At 5 o'clock. — The pinnace returned with the
other vessel, a Spanish settee, appearing by
papers found on board to be the Alicant packet.
Her crew had quitted her on seeing our boats
approach. Sent an officer and five men on board
to take charge of her. Took her in tow and made
sail ; prizes in company."

Such days as this were of quite frequent occur-
rence. Sometimes the prizes were of great value,
as on April ii, when the Peterel, in com-
pany with the Powerful and the Leviathan,
assisted in capturing a vessel which they thought
to be a despatch-boat, and therefore of the first
importance. She proved to be a fishing-boat,
employed in carrying a brigadier-general, a lieu-
tenant-colonel, and a captain of the Walloon
Guards over to Ivica from Alicant. She had on
board specie to the amount of 9000 dollars. The
PetereHs share of this valuable prize was 1469

The Peterel Sloop

dollars, which was paid out in the following pro-
portions :

To a captain .

. 750 dollars

„ a lieutenant

. 62i „

,, a warrant officer

. 36I „

„ a petty officer .

. loj „

„ a foremast man .

2 „

It is to be feared that the prize-money was a
doubtful blessing to the foremast hands, especially
as th^ Peterel -wdiS then nearing Port Mahon, where
they lay at anchor for three days, during which
it was no doubt easy to incur the punishments for
drunkenness and neglect of duty which we find
meted out two days later.

Another capture of political importance is de-
tailed on the 26th April, when a Spanish tartan,
the San Antonio de Padua, was brought to, having
on board fifty-three soldiers belonging to a com-
pany of the 3rd battalion of the Walloon Guards,
who were being conveyed from Barcelona to
Majorca. These, with sailors and a few recruits
also on board, summed up a capture of seventy-
nine Spanish prisoners, who were taken on board
the Peterel.

The tartan was manned by a midshipman and
seven men, and taken in tow. The prisoners
were afterwards transferred to the Centaur, and
the prize, after everything was taken out of her,
was scuttled.

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

These few instances will serve to show the
kind of life of which we get such tantaHsing hints
in ** Persuasion."

The account Captain Wentworth gives to the
two Miss Musgroves and to Admiral Croft of his
earlier commands is a case in point. The date
is not the same, for we remember that Captain
Wentworth first got employ in the year six
(1806), soon after he had parted in anger from
Anne Elliot.

" The Miss Musgroves were just fetching the
* Navy List ' (their own ' Navy List,' the first
there had ever been at Uppercross), and sitting
down together to pore over it, with the professed
view of finding out the ships which Captain Went-
worth had commanded.

** ' Your first was the Asp, I remember. We
will look for the Asp,'

" ' You will not find her there. Quite worn out
and broken up. I was the last man who com-
manded her. Hardly fit for service then. Re-
ported fit for home service for a year or two, and
so I was sent oft to the West Indies.'

'* The girls looked all amazement.

** ' The Admiralty,' he continued, * entertain
themselves now and then with sending a few hun-
dred men to sea in a ship not fit to be employed.
But they have a great many to provide for ; and
among the thousands that may just as well go to

The Peterel Sloop

the bottom as not, It is impossible for them to
distinguish the very set who may be least
missed.'

**'Phoo! phoo!' cried the Admiral. * What
stuff these young fellows talk! Never was there
a better sloop than the Asp in her day. For an
old built sloop you would not see her equal.
Lucky fellow to get her ! He knows there must
have been twenty better men than himself apply-
ing for her at the same time. Lucky fellow to
get anything so soon, with no more interest than
his.'

** * I felt my luck. Admiral, I assure you,' replied
Captain Wentworth seriously. * I was as well
satisfied with my appointment as you can desire.
It was a great object with me at the time to be at
sea ; a very great object. I wanted to be doing
something.'

" * To be sure you did. What should a young
fellow like you do ashore for half a year together ?
If a man has not a wife, he soon wants to be
afloat again.'

** * But, Captain Wentworth,' cried Louisa,
*how vexed you must have been when you came
to the Asp, to see what an old thing they had
given you.'

" * I knew pretty well what she was before that
day,' said he smiling. * I had no more discoveries
to make than you would have as to the fashion

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

and strength of an old pelisse, which you had seen
lent about among half your acquaintance ever
since you could remember, and which at last on
some very wet day is lent to yourself. Ah ! she
was a dear old Asp to me. She did all I wanted.
I knew she would. I knew that we should either
go to the bottom together, or that she would be the
making of me ; and I never had two days of foul
weather all the time I was at sea in her ; and after
taking privateers enough to be very entertaining, I
had the good luck in my passage home the next
autumn to fall in with the very French frigate I
wanted. I brought her into Plymouth ; and here
was another instance of luck. We had not been
six hours in the Sound when a gale came on
which lasted four days and four nights, and which
would have done for poor old Asp in half the
time, our touch with the Great Nation not having
improved our condition. Four and twenty hours
later and I should only have been a gallant Cap-
tain Wentworth in a small paragraph at one
corner of the newspapers ; and being lost in only
a sloop, nobody would have thought about me.'

** The girls were now hunting for the Laconia ;
and Captain Wentworth could not deny himself
the pleasure of taking the precious volume into
his own hands to save them the trouble, and once
more read aloud the little statement of her name
and rate, and present non-commissioned class-

The Peterel Sloop

Observing over it that she too had been one of
the best friends man ever had.

'* 'Ah, those were pleasant days when I had the
Laconia ! How fast I made money in her ! A
friend of mine and I had such a lovely cruise to-
gether off the Western Islands. Poor Harville,
sister ! You know how much he wanted money :
worse than myself. He had a wife. Excellent
fellow ! I shall never forget his happiness. He
felt it all so much for her sake. I wished for him
again next summer, when I had still had the same
luck in the Mediterranean.' "

One cannot but feel, when one comes on such
a conversation in Jane Austen's novel, how per-
fectly she understood the details of her brothers'
lives. Her interest and sympathy were so great
that we can almost hear Francis and Charles re-
counting experiences to their home circle, with a
delicious dwelling on the dangers, for the sake of
inward shudders, or "more open exclamations of
pity and horror " from their hearers, with sidelong
hits at the Admiralty, and with the true sailor's
love of, and pride in, the vessels he has com-
manded.

CHAPTER VI

THE PATROL OF THE MEDITERRANEAN

It will be remembered that at the close of 1796
scarcely a British man-of-war was to be seen in
the Mediterranean. To estimate the work that
St. Vincent and Nelson had since accomplished,
it is only necessary to say that by the summer of
1799 the British Navy was everywhere, blockading
Genoa and Malta, patrolling the Egyptian and
Syrian coasts, and in possession of Minorca,
while Nelson was stationed at Palermo. The
French armies in Italy were cut off from re-
inforcements by our ships before Genoa. Bona-
parte's soldiers in Egypt were equally helpless,
though he himself managed to get home in spite
of the danger of capture.

Attempts were of course made by the French
to change this position. Rear-Admiral Perree
had served on the immense fleet which Bonaparte
took to Egypt in 1798, and there was appointed
to the command of the light flotilla intended to
patrol the Nile. Most of his seniors were shortly

The Patrol of the Mediterranean

afterwards killed or captured by Nelson's fleet in
Aboukir Bay, and he then took charge of the
remaining frigates which had safely anchored at
Alexandria, and which were compelled to remain
there, as Captain Troubridge had established a
blockade of the coast. When Bonaparte marched
for Syria, early in 1799, Perree was ordered to
bring battering cannon to Haifa for the attack on
Acre. It was some time before he got the oppor-
tunity to slip out of Alexandria, and he then
found Jaffa the only place available for landing
the guns. Accomplishing this, he vainly endea-
voured to co-operate in the siege of Acre, but was
driven off by the Tigre and Theseus under Sir
Sydney Smith. The blockade made it impossible
for Perr6e to re-enter Alexandria. The five
vessels therefore sailed for Toulon, and on
June 18 we have in the log of the Peterel the
account of the capture of this unlucky squadron,
within a few hours of their French haven.

June 17. — ** Admiral (Lord Keith) and fleet in
company. The Emerald made signal for five sail
in sight. The Admiral signalled for general chace.
Answered his signal to us to keep between the
Admiral and the chacing ships in N.E., to repeat
signals. At 8 p.m. Emerald N.E., six or seven
miles. Admiral west, four miles.

June 18. — *'One o'clock p.m. Saw four sail bear-
ing N.W. At six, five sail of strangers in sight.

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

At seven, perceived the Centaur open a fire on
the chace, which was returned. Saw two of them
strike and shorten sail. Half-past seven, the
Emerald got up with, and took possession of,
another. At eight o'clock the Centaur brought
to a fourth. The Success and the Triton in chace
of the fifth.

June 19. — ''At daylight, ten of the fleet and
five prizes in company. Boats of the fleet em-
ployed on the 19th getting the prisoners out of
the prizes. These ships proved to be a squadron
which had escaped out of Alexandria on the 19th
of March, and, after cruising a considerable time
off Joppa, were returning to Toulon. Their names
are as follows :

Lajunon .

38 guns, 600 men (with a Rear-Admiral

on board).

VAIceste .

36 guns.

La Courageuse .

32 guns, 300 men.

VAlerte .

i6-gun brig.

La Salamine

i6-gun ditto."

Marshal Suwarrow, in command of the Russian
and Austrian armies, was now making use of
Bonaparte's enforced detention in Egypt to drive
the French out of Italy. By June, after the
battle of the Trebbia, he had not only shut
up Moreau's army in Genoa, but had driven
Macdonald back into Tuscany. It was only
with the greatest difficulty that the two French

The Patrol of the Mediterranean

commanders were able eventually to join forces in
Genoa. With characteristic want of confidence in
their generals, the French Directory sent out
General Joubert to take command in the place
of the two who had been worsted. Almost
immediately after his arrival, he was himself
utterly defeated and killed at the battle of Novi.
Nothing was left of the French possessions in
Italy except Genoa, and a few smaller fortified
places. To Genoa Massena came after his suc-
cessful exploits in Switzerland, and made his
memorable stand, against the Austrian army
besieging by land and the British blockading
by sea.

With these events during 1799 and 1800, the
Peterel was in constant touch. On one occasion,
off Savona, a vessel was taken containing two
hundred and fifty wounded soldiers, who were
being conveyed from Genoa back to France after
the indecisive battle of the Trebbia. On this
Captain Austen remarks, ''As many of them
were in such a state as not to be moved but at
the risque of their lives. Captain Caulfield (of
the Aurora), from motives of humanity, let the
vessel proceed."

Another capture shows how much the French
were hampered by our blockade, their general
being unable to reach his army excepting by sea.
In Francis Austen's own words :

8r F

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

August 2, 1799. — " Last night at 9 p.m. the
Minerves boats came alongside ; sent them along
with our own, armed, under the command of the
first lieutenant to cut out some vessels from the
Bay of Diano.

** About midnight saw a very heavy fire of
cannon and musketry in Diano Bay. Towards
dawn the boats returned on board, having brought
out a large settee laden with wine, and a French
armed half-galley, mounting six guns, and rowing
twenty-six oars. This galley had lately arrived
from Toulon with General Joubert, appointed to
supersede Moreau in the command of the French
army of Italy, and was to have proceeded to-day
with the general to the headquarters, near Genoa.
She was manned with thirty-six people, twenty of
which jumped overboard and swam ashore as
soon as our boats attacked them. The other
sixteen were made prisoners, amongst which was
the commander of her, having the rank of ensign
de vaisseau in the service of the Republic. The
vessel is called La Virginie^ is Turkish built, and
was taken by the French at Malta when they got
possession of that place last year."

Another time the chace is described as follows :

July 14. — ''This vessel proved to be the El
Fortunato Spanish ship polacre of about 100
tons burden, from Cagllari bound to Oneglia,
laden with wine, and having on board an officer

The Patrol of the Mediterranean

charged with despatches from the King of Sar-
dinia to General Suwarrow, Commander-in-Chief
of the combined armies of Russia and Austria in
Italy."

The autumn and winter of 1 799 were spent by
the Peterel cruising again in the west of the
Mediterranean, chiefly off Minorca ; but in the
spring of 1800 they were again near Marseilles.
The capture of the French brig La Ligurienne,
described in the following letter, is another
witness to the fruitless attempts of the French to
get help to the army which Bonaparte had left
behind in Egypt.

" Peterel at Sea, March 22, 1800.

" Sir, — I have to inform you that the vessels
with which you saw me engaged yesterday after-
noon near Cape Couronne, were a ship, brig, and
xebecque, belonging to the French Republic ; two
of which, the ship and xebecque, I drove on shore,
and, after a running action of about one hour and
a half, during the most of which we were not
more than two cables length from the shore, and
frequently not half that distance, the third struck
her colours. On taking possession, we found her
to hQ La Lzgurzenne, French national brig, mount-
ing fourteen six-pounders, and two thirty-six-
pound howitzers, all brass, commanded by Fran9ois
Auguste Pelabon, lieutenant de vaisseau, and
had on board at the commencement of the action

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

one hundred and four men. Though from the
spirited conduct and alacrity of Lieutenant Packer,
Mr. Thompson, the master, and Mr. Hill, the
purser (who very handsomely volunteered his ser-
vices at the main deck guns), joined to the gal-
lantry and determined courage of the rest of the
officers, seamen and marines of his Majesty's
sloop under my command, I was happily enabled
to bring the contest to a favourable issue ; yet I
could not but feel the want, and regret the absence,
of my first lieutenant, Mr. Glover, and thirty men,
who were at the time away in prizes. I have a
lively pleasure in that this service has been per-
formed without a man hurt on our part, and with
no other damage to the ship than four of our
carronades dismounted, and a few shots through
the sails. La Ligurienne is a very fine vessel of
the kind, well equipped with stores of all sorts,
in excellent repair, and not two years old. She
is built on a peculiar plan, being fastened through-
out with screw bolts, so as to be taken to pieces
and put together with ease, and is said to have
been intended to follow Bonaparte to Egypt. I
learn from the prisoners that the ship is called Le
Cerf, mounting fourteen six-pounders, xebecque
Le Joillet, mounting six six-pounders, and that
they had sailed in company with a convoy (two of
which, as per margin, I captured in the forenoon)
that morning from Cette, bound to Marseilles. I

The Patrol of the Mediterranean

enclose a return of the killed and wounded, as far
as I have been able to ascertain it,

** And am, your very humble servant,

" Francis Wm. Austen.

** To Robert Dudley Oliver, Esq.,

** Captain of H.M. Ship Mermaid,

" Return of killed and wounded in an action
between his Britannic Majesty's sloop Peterely
Francis Wm. Austen, Esq., Commander, and the
French national brig La Ligurienne, commanded
by Fran9ois Auguste Pelabon, lieutenant de
vaisseau.

'' Peterel: Killed, none; wounded, none.

^' La Ligurienne : Killed, the captain and one
seaman ; wounded, one gardemarin and one
seaman.

''(Signed) Francis Wm. Austen."

The captures, **as per margin," are of a French
bark, name unknown, about two hundred and fifty
tons, and of a French bombarde. La Vestic, about
one hundred and fifty tons, both laden with wheat,
and both abandoned by their crews on the Petered s
attack.

If, as is stated. La Ligurienne was intended to
go to Egypt, it seems not improbable that the
reason for her peculiar construction was that she
might be taken to pieces, carried across the

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

desert, and launched again in the Red Sea, there
to take part in an attempt on India.

This exploit, though related in a matter-of-fact
way by Captain Austen in his letter, was not in-
considerable in the eyes of the authorities, and
the result was his immediate promotion to post
rank. He himself knew nothing of this advance-
ment until the following October; only an instance
of the slowness and difficulty of communication,
which was so great a factor in the naval affairs of
that time.

It should be mentioned that the frigate Mer-
maid was in sight during part of this action,
which perhaps had something to do with the two
French vessels running themselves ashore, also
that the capture of La Ligurienne was within six
miles of Marseilles. The Peterel took her three
prizes to Minorca, where the prisoners were sent
on board the Courageuse, one of Perrde's frigates
captured in 1799 as already described.

The next voyage was to Malta, where the for-
tress of Valetta was still in French hands, with a
few ships under the command of Rear-Admiral
Villeneuve. The British blockading squadron
had just taken the Guillaume Tellm the endeavour
to escape from Valetta harbour, after eighteen
months' stay. This ship of the line was the only
one remaining to the French from Bonapartes
expedition to Egypt and the Battle of the Nile.

The Patrol of the Mediterranean

The P^/^r^/ took on board, in the Bay of Marsa
Sirocco, thirty-five of the crew of the Guillaume
Tell, by orders of Commodore Troubridge of the
CullodeUy and with these prisoners made sail for
Palermo, where for a few days she hoisted Nelson's
flag. Arrived once more at Port Mahon, in
Minorca, the French sailors were added to the
number on the Courageuse, and the Peterel found
her way to Lord Keith's fleet, now closely invest-
ing General Massena in Genoa.

The great events of the campaign of Marengo
are matters of European history. The British
fleet's blockade of the coast was clearly a deter-
mining factor in the choice of the St. Bernard
route by the First Consul, inasmuch as the
Riviera road was commanded from the sea. It
must remain a question whether Bonaparte deli-
berately left Massena's army to risks of starvation
and capture, in order that the destruction of the
Austrian forces in Piedmont might be complete.
Massena had been compelled to extend his lines
too far, so that he might secure from a moun-
tainous country the supplies which could not
reach him from France. This made it possible
for the Austrians to press their advantage, and to
isolate the fortresses of Nice, Savona, and Genoa.
The unceasing patrol of the sea completed the
circle of hostile forces. The French army was
entirely shut up in Genoa, and throughout the

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

month of May the town was several times bom-
barded by the ships and the armed boats of the
fleet. These armed boats had already reduced the
small garrison of Savona. It Is recorded in the
Peterel log that a **polacre laden with artillery
and ammunition for the army of General Baron
d'Ott " came from that port. The Peterel was
detailed by Lord Keith to cruise in shore as near
as possible to Genoa, and Captain Austen received
the thanks of this Admiral for his energetic per-
formance of that duty. One night the vessel was
under fire from the lighthouse forts, and received
several shots. A feature of the blockade was the
plan of ''rowing guard" each night, in order to
prevent access to the harbour after dark. The
Peterel^s pinnace was frequently on this duty in
turn with the other boats of the fleet, and took
part in cutting out the Prima galley after mid-
night on the 2 1 St of May. This galley was
intended to take part in an attempt on the smaller
vessels of the British fleet, but was attacked by
the boats^ crews at the Mole when just ready to
come out. She was boarded in the most gallant
manner, in spite of a large force of fighting men
on board, and of a heavy fire from the harbour
forts. The capture was greatly helped by the
conduct of the 300 galley slaves, who rowed out
so fast that they almost outstripped the boats that
were towing her. These slaves were allowed on

The Patrol of the Mediterranean

deck when the prize was out of gunshot range
from the harbour, and great were their manifesta-
tions of joy at their release. The sequel of the
incident was tragic. Lord Keith sent most of
them back to Genoa with the other French
prisoners, no doubt with the idea of forcing their
support on the half-starved garrison. The galley
slaves were shot as traitors in the market-place.

During the preliminary conference with General
d'Ott and Lord Keith, preceding the French sur-
render at Genoa, it is said that some contempt
for Austria was expressed by Massena, who went
on as follows : " Milord, si jamais la France et
TAngleterre s'entendre, elles gouverneraient la
monde." This almost foreshadows the ** entente
cordiale " of 1904.

On June 4 the French army capitulated. Genoa
town was handed over to the Austrians under
General Melas, and the port was occupied by Lord
Keith in his flagship Minotaur.

But already the First Consul had descended
into Italy, had taken possession of Milan, and
was in full march to defeat Baron d'Ott at
Montebello. On the 14th Marengo was fought,
and the tide of fortune turned. Genoa, Savona,
and all the fortresses of Piedmont were made
over to the French. Massena came back on
June 24, and Lord Keith had just time to
move out of the harbour and to resume his

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

blockade. The victorious First Consul was again
in full possession of Northern Italy.

Before the end of May the Peterel was already
on her way southward, and the log records the
transport of thirty-two men to H.M.S. Guillaume
Tell (recently captured) off Syracuse, then another
call at Malta (St. Paul's Bay) where the blockaders
were busy with the later stages of the reduction
of Valetta. The destination of the Peterel was
the coast of Egypt, where Sir Sydney Smith was
locally in command. Alexandria and other har-
bours were still held by the French, now quite
cut off from outside support. A Turkish fleet of
twelve ships was at anchor off Alexandria, and
the blockade was supposed to be maintained by
them, but in actual practice the burden devolved
upon the three British vessels, Tigre, Transfer y
and Peterel They appear to have joined forces
at Jaffa, and to have cruised off the Egyptian
coast, with an occasional visit to Cyprus, for some
months. They were all this time without news
from England.

The allied fleets of France and Spain were by
no means inactive, and, though they did not
accomplish much in the Mediterranean, there was
always a serious risk for a single vessel, and
despatch-boats were particularly unsafe carrying,
as they did, intelligence that might be useful to
the enemy. At this time the Spanish ports in

The Patrol of the Mediterranean

the neighbourhood of Gibraltar were strongly
held, and it was a great object with the British
Government to relieve this pressure, which seri-
ously threatened their communications with the
whole of the Mediterranean. Algeciras was spe-
cially dangerous, and we find constant attacks upon
the enemy there, in which Charles Austen as
Lieutenant of the Endymion had a considerable
part, under Sir Thomas Williams and his successor
Captain Philip Durham. His service was varied
by the capture of several privateers, among others
of La Furze, The Endymion afterwards convoyed
ten Indiamen home from St. Helena, for which
service Captain Durham received the thanks of
the East India Company. On the occasion of
the capture of the Scipio, Lieutenant Charles
Austen specially distinguished himself The en-
counter took place in a violent gale, but, in spite
of wind and weather, he put off in a boat with
only four men, and boarded the vessel, which had
just surrendered. The Scipio was a fine craft of
1 8 guns, manned by 140 men.

Charles was particularly lucky at this time in
his shares of prize-money. Jane tells us in one
of her letters to Cassandra how generously he
spent it.

"Charles has received ;^30 for his share of the
privateer, and expects £\o more ; but of what
avail is it to take prizes if he lays out the produce

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

in presents for his sisters ? He has been buying
gold chains and topaz crosses for us. He must be
well scolded. I shall write again by this post to
thank and reproach him. We shall be unbearably
fine."

It is a good instance of the way in which Jane
Austen '' worked up " her incidents that the
brother's present of a cross and a gold chain
should form the groundwork on which is built up
the story of Fanny's flutterings of heart over her
adornments for the ball at Mansfield.

**The *how she should be dressed' was a point
of painful solicitude ; and the almost solitary orna-
ment in her possession, a very pretty amber cross
which William had brought her from Sicily, was
the greatest distress of all, for she had nothing
but a bit of riband to fasten it to ; and though
she had worn it in that manner once, would it be
allowable at such a time, in the midst of all the
rich ornaments which she supposed all the other
young ladies would appear in ? And yet not to
wear it ! William had wanted to buy her a gold
chain too, but the purchase had been beyond his
means, and therefore not to wear the cross might
be mortifying to him. These were anxious con-
siderations ; enough to sober her spirits even
under the prospect of a ball given principally for
her gratitfication."

Then follows Miss Crawford's gift of a necklace

t^.M ikM

mt%M^

THE TOPAZ CROSSES GIVEN TO

CASSANDRA AND JANE BY

CHARLES AUSTEN

.c ,€:••»<

The Patrol of the Mediterranean

to wear with the cross, with all its alarming associa-
tions with Henry Crawford ; then Edmund's gift
of a chain ; her resolve to wear Miss Crawford's
gift to please him ; and lastly the delightful dis-
covery that the necklace was too large for the
purpose. Edmund's chain, ** therefore, must be
worn ; and having, with delightful feelings, joined
the chain and the cross, those memorials of the
two most beloved of her heart ; those dearest
tokens so formed for each other by everything
real and imaginary, and put them round her neck,
and seen and felt how full of William and Edmund
they were, she was able, without an effort, to
resolve on wearing Miss Crawford's necklace too.
She acknowledged it to be right. Miss Crawford
had a claim ; and when it was no longer to en-
croach on, to interfere with the stronger claims,
the truer kindness of another, she could do her
justice even with pleasure to herself. The neck-
lace really looked very well ; and Fanny left her
room at last, comfortably satisfied with herself and
all about her."

CHAPTER VII

AT HOME AND ABROAD

The truism that absence strengthens more ties
than it weakens is clearly demonstrated by the
letters of the Austen family. In spite of the diffi-
culty of sending letters, and the doubt of their
reaching England, the brothers managed to get
news through whenever it was possible. To know
that their efforts were appreciated one has only to
read how every scrap of this news was sent from
one sister to the other in the constant letters they
interchanged on those rare occasions when they
were parted. The Austen family had always a
certain reserve in showing affection, but the feel-
ing which appears in this longing for tidings, in
the gentle satires on small failings or transient
love-affairs of their brothers, combined with the
occasional ** dear Frank" or "dear Charles,"
was one which stood the test of time, and
was transmitted to the brothers' children in
a way that made the names of "Aunt Jane"
and "Aunt Cassandra" stand for all that was

At Home and Abroad

lovable in the thoughts of their nephews and
nieces.

The scarcity of letters must have been a severe
trial. Just at this time, when those at home knew
of Frank's promotion, and he had as yet no idea
of it, the longing to send and receive news must
have been very great. He was hard at work in
the summer of 1800 with Sir Sydney Smith's
squadron off Alexandria. From there, early in
July, he wrote to Cassandra. This letter was
received at Steventon on November i, when
Cassandra was at Godmersham with Edward, so
Jane sent her word of its arrival. '* We have at
last heard from Frank ; a letter from him to you
came yesterday, and I mean to send it on as soon
as I can get a ditto (that means a frank), which
I hope to do in a day or two. En attendant, you
must rest satisfied with knowing that on the 8th
of July the Peterel with the rest of the Egyptian
squadron was off the Isle of Cyprus, whither they
went from Jaffa for provisions, &c., and whence
they were to sail in a day or two for Alexandria,
there to await the English proposals for the eva-
cuation of Egypt. The rest of the letter, accord-
ing to the present fashionable style of composi-
tion, is chiefly descriptive. Of his promotion he
knows nothing ; of prizes he is guiltless."

An event which would no doubt have made a
point of interest in this letter happened the day

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

after it was sent, but is recorded in the log for
July 9 :

** Received two oxen and fifty-two gallons of
wine, being the PetereFs portion of a present from
the Governor of the Island."

The same letter from Jane to her sister con-
tains news of Charles, who had been at home
comparatively lately, and was on the Endymion,
which was '* waiting only for orders, but may wait
for them perhaps a month." Three weeks later
he was at home again.

'* Naughty Charles did not come on Tuesday,
but good Charles came yesterday morning. About
two o'clock he walked in on a Gosport hack. His
feeling equal to such a fatigue is a good sign, and
his feeling no fatigue a still better. He walked
down to Deane to dinner, he danced the whole
evening, and to-day is no more tired than a gentle-
man ought to be. Your desiring to hear from me
on Sunday will, perhaps, bring you a more parti-
cular account of the ball than you may care for,
because one is prone to think more of such things
the morning after they happen, than when time
has entirely driven them out of one's recollection.

**Itwas a pleasant evening; Charles found it
remarkably so, but I cannot tell why, unless the
absence of Miss Terry, towards whom his con-
science reproaches him with being now perfectly
indifferent, was a relief to him.

At Home and Abroad

'* Summers has made my gown very well indeed,
and I get more and more pleased with it. Charles
does not like it, but my father and Mary do. My
mother is very much resigned to it, and as for
James he gives it the preference over everything
of the kind he ever saw, in proof of which I am
desired to say that if you like to sell yours Mary
will buy it.

" Farewell ! Charles sends you his best love,
and Edward his worst. If you think the distinction
improper, you may take the worst yourself. He
will write to you when he gets back to his ship,
and in the meantime desires that you will consider
me as your affectionate sister J. A.

** P.S. Charles is in very good looks indeed. . . .

** I rejoice to say that we have just had another
letter from our dear Frank. It is to you, very
short, written from Larnaca in Cyprus, and so
lately as October 2nd. He came from Alexan-
dria, and was to return there in three or four days,
knew nothing of his promotion, and does not
write above twenty lines, from a doubt of the
letter's ever reaching you, and an idea of all letters
being opened at Vienna. He wrote a few days
before to you from Alexandria by the Mercury,
sent with despatches to Lord Keith. Another
letter must be owing to us besides this, one if not
two ; because none of these are for me."

The scenes of home life which these extracts

97 G

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

give us form a strong contrast to the readings in
the log of the Peterel between the dates of Frank's
two letters.

In spite of the fact that viewed as a whole this
was a breathing space between engagements, each
side standing back to recover and to watch for the
next movement on the part of the other, yet, in
detail, it was a time of activity.

Now and then, in the log, occurs the chace of a
germe (or djerm) carrying supplies for the
French, and a boat expedition is organised to cut
out one or two of these craft, from an inlet where
they had taken refuge.

*' At twelve the boats returned without the germe,
having perceived her to be under the protection
of a field piece and a body of soldiers." Next day
one was captured *' with only 17 bales of tobacco
on board" (Captain Austen was not a smoker).
Then *' condemned by survey the remaining part
of the best bower cable as unserviceable." ** Held
a survey on and condemned a cask of rice." ** The
senior lieutenant was surveyed by the surgeons of
the squadron and found to be a fit object for
invaliding."

The next incident is described in the following

report :

^* Peterel, off Alexandria, ^w^ws^ 14, 1800.

'* Sir, — On the morning of the loth, the day
subsequent to my parting with the Tigre, I joined

At Home and Abroad

the Turkish squadron off this place, consisting of
one ship of the line, and three corvettes under the
command of Injee Bey, captain of the gallies,
with whom I concerted on the most proper distri-
bution of the force left with him. It was finally
agreed that one corvette should be stationed off
Aboukir, a second off Alexandria, and the third off
the Tower of Marabout, the line-of-battle ship and
the /*^/f^r^/ occasionally to visit the different points
of the station as we might judge fit. It blowing
too hard to admit of any germes passing, I
thought it advisable to stretch to the westward as
far as the Arab's Tower, off which I continued
till the afternoon of the 12th, when I stood back
to the eastward, and was somewhat surprised to
see none of the Turkish squadron off Alexandria.
At 8 o'clock the following morning, having an
offing of three or four leagues, I stood in for the
land, and in about an hour saw three of the
Turkish ships a long way to the Eastward, and
the fourth, which proved to be the line-of-battle
ship, laying totally dismasted, on the Reef, about
halfway between the Castle and Island of Aboukir.
Thinking it possible, from what little I knew of
Aboukir Bay, to get the Peterel within gunshot
of her, and by that means to disperse the swarm
of germes which surrounded her, and whose crews
I could plainly discern busy in plundering, I stood
in round the east side of the island, and anchored

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

in quarter less four fathoms, a long gun-shot dis-
tance from her, and sent Mr. Thompson, the
master, in the pinnace to sound in a direction
towards her, in order to ascertain whether it was
practicable to get any nearer with the ship, and if
he met with no resistance (the germes having all
made sail before we anchored) to board and set
fire to the wreck. Though it blew very strong,
and the boat had to row nearly two miles, almost
directly to windward, yet by the great exertions of
the officers and boat's crew, in an hour and twenty
minutes I had the satisfaction of seeing the wreck
in a perfect blaze, and the boat returning. Mr.
Thompson brought back with him thirteen Greek
sailors, part of the crew, and one Arab left in their
hurry by the germes.

** From the Greeks I collected that the ship
went on shore while in the act of wearing about
9 o'clock on the night of the nth, that about
half the crew had been taken on board the cor-
vettes, and the Bey, with the principal part of the
officers and the rest of the crew, having surren-
dered to the French, had landed the next evening
at Aboukir. At the time we stood in, the French
had 300 men at work on board the wreck, endea-
vouring to save the guns, but had only succeeded
in landing one from the quarter-deck.

*' Shortly after my anchoring I sent an officer
to the corvette, which had followed us in, and an-

100

At Home and Abroad

chored near to us, to inform their commander what
I proposed doing, and to desire the assistance of
their boats in case of resistance from any persons
who might be remaining on board the wreck, a
demand which they did not think proper to comply
with, alleging that, as all the cloathes, &c., had
been landed, there was nothing of value remaining,
and besides that it would be impossible to get on
board, as the French had a guard of soldiers in
her.

** I cannot sufficiently praise the zeal and acti-
vity with which Mr. Thompson and the nine men
with him performed this service, by which I trust
the greatest part, if not all, of the guns, and other
useful parts of the wreck, have been prevented
from falling into the hands of the enemy. The
thirteen Greeks I sent on board one of the Turkish
corvettes, and intend, as soon as I have commu-
nication with the shore, to land the Arab.
** I have the honour to be. Sir,

*' Your obedient servant,

" Francis Wm. Austen.

" To Sir Sydney Smith, K.S.,

" Senior officer of H.M. Ships and Vessels
"employed in the Levant."

The French were quite ready to take possession
of all that the predatory Arab germes were likely
to leave on board the Turkish line-of- battle ship.

lOI

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

There was of course much less difficulty in getting
the Peterel into Aboukir Bay than in navigating
the larger corvettes of the Turks ; but, where
Nelson had brought in his fleet, before the Battle
of the Nile, there was water enough for any vessel,
if properly handled.

The following letters give the conclusion of the
matter :

•♦ His Britannic Majesty's Sloop Peterel, off Alexandria,

"August 1 6, 1800.

**SiR, — I avail myself of the present flag to set
on shore with an unconditional release eleven
Arabs, prisoners of war. Should it be not incon-
sistent with the instructions you may be acting
under, the release of an equal number of the sub-
jects of the Sublime Porte will be considered as
a fair return.

'* I have the honour to be, &c.,
" Your obedient servant,

** F. W. Austen.
** To General Lanusse,

** Commandant of Alexandria."

" Peterel, off Alexandria, August 7.

" Sir, — The King George transport is this
morning arrived here from Rhodes, and as I find,
by the report of the master, that the object of his
mission in landing the powder has not been accom-
plished, I shall send him off directly with orders to

102

At Home and Abroad

follow you agreeable to given rendezvous. ... I
enclose herewith a letter received five days ago by
a Turkish transport from Jaffa ; one from myself
containing the particulars of the loss of the
Turkish line-of-battle ship, a copy of my letter
to General Lanusse, which accompanied the Arabs
on shore yesterday (the first day since my leaving
the TtgrCy that the weather has been sufficiently
moderate to admit of communicating with the
shore), and lastly a letter from the Vizir, which I
received yesterday from Jaffa by a Turkish felucca.
As the weather becomes more settled I hope to
annoy the germes, though I must not count on
any support or assistance from the Turks, as
Injee Bey, when I first joined him, declared he
had received directions from the Capitan Pacha
not to molest them. Two of the corvettes are
gone to join the Capitan Pacha, but this I learnt
only two days after they went. The officer who
accompanied the flag yesterday could not obtain
any certain intelligence of Captain Boyle and his
people, for in answer to his inquiries he was told
they were still at or near Cairo.

** I have the honour to be, &c.

"To Sir Wm. Sydney Smith, K.S.,

" Senior officer of H.M. Ships and Vessels
" employed in the Levant."

This Capitan Pacha was a man of some note.

103

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

His career is an example of the inefficacy of the
greatest talents under such a government as that
of Turkey. He was in every way an able man —
strong and determined — considering all circum-
stances not to be called cruel — enlightened in his
ideas. His chief lack was that of education, but
he was anxious to learn from all. He had great
respect for Europeans and sympathy with their
outlook. Altogether, though he did a great work
for the Turkish navy — improving the construction
of the ships — taking care that the officers should
be properly educated, and drawing the supply of
men from the best possible sources, and all this in
a country where reform seemed a hopeless task,
yet, so great was the power of his personality, that
one is more surprised that he did so little than that
he did so much.

The Captain Courtney Boyle spoken of in this
letter was evidently an acquaintance of the family,
as we find him mentioned in one of Jane's letters.
His ship, the Cormorant, had been wrecked on the
Egyptian coast, and the whole crew made prisoners
by the French. He must have obtained his
release very shortly afterwards, for the following
letter from Jane to Cassandra was clearly written
when the family at Steventon were looking for-
ward to Frank's return, but before they had direct
news from himself :

''I should not have thought it necessary to write

104

At Home and Abroad

to you so soon, but for the arrival of a letter from
Charles to myself. It was written last Saturday
from off the Start, and conveyed to Popham Lane
by Captain Boyle, on his way to Midgham. He
came from Lisbon in the Endymion, I will copy
Charles's account of his conjectures about Frank :
* He has not seen my brother lately, nor does he
expect to find him arrived, as he met Captain Inglis
at Rhodes, going up to take command of the Peterel
as he was coming down ; but supposes he will arrive
in less than a fortnight from this time, in some ship
which is expected to reach England about that
time with despatches from Sir Ralph Aber-
crombie.' The event must show what sort of a
conjurer Captain Boyle is. The Endymion has
not been plagued with any more prizes. Charles
spent three pleasant days in Lisbon. When this
letter was written, the Endymion was becalmed,
but Charles hoped to reach Portsmouth by Monday
or Tuesday. He received my letter, communi-
cating our plans, before he left England ; was
much surprised, of course, but is quite reconciled
to them, and means to come to Steventon once
more while Steventon is ours."

Captain Charles Inglis, who was to succeed
Francis Austen, had served as lieutenant in the
Penelope, and specially distinguished himself in
the capture of the Guillaume Tell.

While these conjectures as to Frank's where-

105

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

abouts and the possible date of his return were
passing between his relations at home, he had
been still pursuing the ordinary round of duties
such as are described in this letter, quite ignorant
until the actual event of any approaching change
either for them or for himself.

''Sir, — I have to inform you that I anchored
with his Majesty's sloop under my command at
Larnaca on the evening of the ist instant, where
I completed my water, and purchased as much
wine as the ship would stow, but was not able to
procure any bread, as from the great exports of
corn which have been lately made to supply the
Vizir's army in Syria, the inhabitants are almost
in a state of famine. I sailed from Larnaca the
evening of the 6th, and anchored here on the 9th
at noon. As I had only five days' bread on board
I have judged it proper to take on board 50
quintals of that which had been prepared for the
Tigre, and not being acquainted with the price
agreed on, have directed the purser to leave a
certificate with the Dragoman of the Porte, for the
quantity received, that it may be included with
the Tigres vouchers, and settled for with the
purser of that ship.

'* The Governor of Nicosia made application to
me yesterday in the name of the Capitan Pacha
for assistance to enable him to get a gun on shore

106

At Home and Abroad

from one of the gun-boats which has been wrecked
here, which, tho' I knew would detain me a day,
I thought it right to comply with ; the gun
has been to-day got on shore, and I am now going
to weigh. I propose stretching more towards
Alexandria if the wind is not very unfavourable,
and should I find no counter orders, shall after-
wards put in execution the latter part of yours of
the 23 rd ult.

'* I have directed the captain of the Kir ling
Geek, which I found here on my arrival without
orders, to wait till the i6th for the arrival of the
Tigre, when, if not otherwise directed, to proceed
to Rhodes, and follow such orders or information
as he may obtain there.

** I have the honor to be, &c.,

" To Sir Sydney Smith."

'* The latter part of yours of the 23rd " possibly
refers to instructions to proceed to Rhodes, for
we find in the log that the Peterel went on there
early in October, and there at last Captain Austen
was greeted with the news of his promotion to
Post Rank. The /^^/^r^/ anchored in the Road of
Rhodes at ten o'clock on the morning of October
20, where the Tigre was 2 1 days at anchor, and
at this point the private log of the Pe^ere/ stops
short.

Although we have no account from Francis

107

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

Austen himself of his meeting with Captain Inglis,
he evidently wrote a lively description of the inci-
dent to his sisters. Jane writes from Steventon
on January 21st to Cassandra: '*Well, and so
Frank's letter has made you very happy, but you
are afraid he would not have patience to stay for
the Haarlem, which you wish him to have done,
as being safer than the merchantman." Frank's
great desire was clearly to get home as soon as
possible after an absence of nearly three years.
It is curious to think of the risks supposed to be
incurred by passengers on board a merchantman.

The following comment on the colour of the ink
is amply borne out in the log : ** Poor fellow ! to
wait from the middle of November to the end of
December, and perhaps even longer, it must be
sad work ; especially in a place where the ink is
so abominably pale. What a surprise to him it
must have been on October 20th to be visited,
collared, and thrust out of the Peterel by Captain
Inglis. He kindly passes over the poignancy of
his feelings in quitting his ship, his officers, and
his men.

**What a pity it is that he should not be in
England at the time of this promotion, because he
certainly would have had an appointment, so
everybody says, and therefore it must be right for
me to say it too. Had he been really here, the
certainty of the appointment, I dare say, would not

108

''iM )^' ^"' "'^

^'^- %r1f'^'':

rsiii

'- -11 :i

THE WAY TO CHURCH FROM PORTSDOWN LODGE

(When the forts were constructed, this avemte was ait down.)

At Home and Abroad

have been half so great ; as it could not be brought
to the proof, his absence will be always a lucky
source of regret."

The ** promotion " spoken of in this letter
was extensive, and took place on January i, 1801,
on the occasion of the union of Great Britain and
Ireland. At the same time there was an increase
in the number of line-of-battle ships which is com-
mented on with reference to Charles.

** Eliza talks of having read in a newspaper that
all the ist lieutenants of the frigates whose cap-
tains were to be sent into line-of-battle ships were
to be promoted to the rank of commanders. If
it be true, Mr. Valentine may afford himself a fine
Valentine's knot, and Charles may perhaps
become ist of the Endymion, though I suppose
Captain Durham is too likely to bring a villain
with him under that denomination."

The letters give no account of the homecoming,
but from the story of William Price s return in
** Mansfield Park," we can see that Jane knewsome-
thing of the mingled feelings of such a meeting.

''This dear William would soon be amongst
them. . . . scarcely ten days had passed since
Fanny had been in the agitation of her first dinner
visit, when she found herself in an agitation of a
higher nature. . . . watching in the hall, in the
lobby, on the stairs, for the first sound of the car-
riage which was to bring her a brother,

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Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

*' It was long before Fanny could recover from
the agitating happiness of such an hour as was
formed by the last thirty minutes of expectation
and the first of fruition.

"It was some time even before her happiness
could be said to make her happy, before the dis-
appointment inseparable from the alteration of
person had vanished, and she could see in him the
same William as before, and talk to him as her
heart had been yearning to do through many a
past year.**

CHAPTER VIII

BLOCKADING BOULOGNE

Francis Austen's first appointment on his pro-
motion to post rank was to the Nepttme, as
Flag-Captain to Admiral James Gambier. It was
not usual for an Admiral to choose as his Flag-
Captain one who had so lately gained the step in
rank. It is clear from the letters of Francis Austen
at this time that he, in common with many officers
in the Navy, was bent on improvements in the
food and general comforts of the crews. Francis
Austen's capacity for detail would here stand him
in good stead. There is one letter of his concern-
ing the best way of preserving cheeses, which is a
good example of his interest in the small things of
his profession. He had, on the advice of Ad-
miral Gambier, made the experiment of coating
some cheeses with whitewash in order to keep
them in good condition in hot weather, and had
found it very successful. He thereupon wrote to
the Admiralty Commissioners recommending that
all cheeses should be so treated before being

III

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

shipped, in order that the men might have *' more
wholesome and nutritive food," and also ** that a
material ultimate saving to the public may be
effected at an inconsiderable first cost."

We have not far to look for a parallel to this
love of detail in the works of Jane Austen. Ad-
mirers and detractors are agreed in saying that
she thought nothing too unimportant to be of in-
terest, and in allowing the justice of her own
description of her work — ** the little bit (two inches
wide) of ivory on which I work with so fine a
brush, as produces little effect after much labour."
There is no doubt that naval officers must often
have felt in their dealings with the Admiralty that
they produced ** little effect after much labour."

A curious point of etiquette in connection with
these letters is that the Commissioners invariably
signed themselves ** Your affectionate friends,"
followed by the names of those concerned in the
business.

At the peace of Amiens, Francis Austen, among
many other officers, went on half-pay ; but when
war broke out again in 1803, we find him at
Ramsgate, employed in raising a body of '' Sea
Fencibles." This service was instituted chiefly
on the advice of Captain Popham, who had tried
something of the same kind in Flanders in 1793.

The object, of course, was to protect the coast
from invasion. The corps was composed of fisher-

112

Blockading Boulogne

men, commanded in each district by an officer in
the Navy, whose duty it was to quarter the men
on the beach, exercise them, and to have the
beaches watched whenever the weather was
favourable for the enemy to land. The men were
exercised once a week, and were paid at the rate
of a shilling a day, with a food allowance when
on service.

Captain Austen's report on the coast of the
district lying between the North Foreland and
Sandown is a document of considerable detail,
dealing with the possible landing-places for a
hostile army. He comes to the conclusion that in
moderate weather a landing might be effected on
many parts of this coast, particularly in Pegwell
Bay, where ** the enemy would have no heights
to gain," and, further, " that any time of tide would
be equally favourable for the debarkation of troops
on this shore." But ** in blowing weather, open
flat boats filled with troops would doubtless many
of them be lost in the surf, while larger vessels
could not, from the flatness of the coast, approach
sufficiently near." Of course, all is subject to
** the enemy's evading our cruisers, and getting
past the ships in the Downs."

This time at Ramsgate was of importance to
Francis, for it was here that he met, and became
engaged to, Mary Gibson, who was his wife for
seventeen years. This engagement, though

113 H

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

** Mrs. F. A." became one of the best loved of
the sisters-in-law, must at the outset have been a
slight shock to Jane and Cassandra, who for long
had been cherishing a hope that Frank would
marry their beloved friend Martha Lloyd. A few
extracts taken from the letters will show their
affection and their hopes.

" I love Martha better than ever, and I mean
to go and see her, if I can, when she gets home. . . .
I shall be very glad to see you at home again, and
then — if we can get Martha — who will be so happy
as we ? . . . I am quite pleased with Martha and
Mrs. Lefroy for wanting the pattern of our caps,
but I am not so well pleased with your giving it
to them. Some wish, some prevailing wish, is
necessary to the animation of everybody's mind,
and in gratifying this you leave them to form some
other which will probably not be half so innocent.
I shall not forget to write to Frank."

The connection of ideas seems very clear. Per-
haps it may have been some memory of these old
times, and the wishes of his sister who had passed
away, that induced Francis to make Martha his
second wife in 1828.

That their religious life was the mainspring of
all their actions is sufficiently clear throughout the
whole lives of the two brothers. During this
time at Ramsgate, Francis was noticed as ''the
officer who knelt in church," and up to the day

114

Blockading Boulogne

of his death there is one entry never absent from
the diary of Charles Austen — ** Read the Lessons
of the Day."

In May 1804 Captain Francis Austen was
appointed to the Leopard, the flagship of Rear-
Admiral Louis, who held a command in the
squadron blockading Napoleon's Boulogne flotilla.
This flotilla, begun in 1802, had by 1804 assumed
very large proportions. With the object of stir-
ring up the descendants of the Norman con-
querors to a new invasion of England, Napoleon,
always dramatic in his effects, made a progress
through the maritime provinces attended by the
Bayeux Tapestry, the display of which was ex-
pected to arouse much martial ardour. It was
assumed that his great army of veteran soldiers,
encamped above the cliffs of Boulogne, was only
waiting for favourable weather to embark on board
the two thousand flat-bottomed boats. His review
of this fleet in August 1804 was, however, so
seriously disturbed by one or two of the British
men-of-war that the new Emperor was obliged
to recognise the impossibility of crossing the
Channel unless he had the command of (at least)
the narrow seas.

All the naval history that follows, up to the day
of Trafalgar, was t he outcome of his attempt to
obtain this superiority for his ''Grand Army of
England/' The failure of Villeneuve, on his return

115

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

from the West Indies, to reach the appointed ren-
dezvous with Ganteaume off Brest, broke up
Napoleon's combination ; the army marched to
Austeriitz and Vienna, the flotilla was left to
decay, and the site of the two years' camp is
commemorated only by the Column of Napoleon
himself.

The work of watching Boulogne and the neigh-
bouring ports was, in common with all other
blockades, as a contemporary writer says, **a trial
to the temper, spirits and health of officers and
men." There was a strong feeling in England
against this system, which seems to have been
popular with naval authorities. This opinion is
voiced in the following cutting from the Naval
Chronicle of that date :

** Were it indeed possible to keep so strict awatch
on the hostile shores that every effort of the enemy
to escape from the ports would be unavailing, that
the fortuitous circumstances of calms, fogs, gales,
the obscurity of the night, &c., would not in any
degree advance his purposes, then would the
eventual mischief inseparable from a blockade, by
which our marine is threatened, find a compensa-
tion in our immediate security. But until this can
be effected with a certainty of success, the national
interests ought not to be compromised, and our
future offensive and defensive means unnecessarily
abridged." This extract is perhaps of greater

ii6

Blockading Boulogne

interest as an example of the journalese of the
date, than for any unusual depth in the ideas which
it expresses, which merely amount to the fact that
it was considered that the *' game was not worth
the candle."

Against this we may set another view of the
blockades as expressed by Dr. Fitchett :

" It was one of the compensations of these
great blockades that they raised the standard of
seamanship and endurance throughout the British
fleets to the highest possible level. The lonely
watches, the sustained vigilance, the remoteness
from all companionship, the long wrestle with the
forces of the sea, the constant watching for battle,
which for English seamen marked those block-
ades, profoundly affected the character of English
seamanship. When, indeed, has the world seen
such seamen as those of the years preceding
Trafalgar? Hardy, resolute, careless alike of
tempest or of battle ; of frames as enduring as the
oaken decks they trod, and courage as iron as the
guns they worked ; and as familiar with sea-life
and all its chances as though they had been web-
footed.

** If the great blockades hardened the seaman-
ship of the British fleets, fighting for long months
with the tempests of the open sea, they fatally
enervated the seamanship of the French navy.
The seaman's art under the tri-colour decayed in

117

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

the long inaction of blockaded ports. The sea-
man's spirit drooped. The French navy suffered
curious and fatal loss, not only of nautical skill but
of fighting impulse.*'

Nelson's comment is opportune : " These
gentlemen are not accustomed to a Gulf of Lyons
gale, which we have buffeted for twenty-one
months, and not carried away a spar."

Captain Austen's idea of the best w^ay to mini-
mise the evils of a blockade was to give the men
as much work to do as possible in the care of the
ship. At one time this took the form of having
the boats re-painted. Over this question we have
the following characteristic letter ;

*' Leopard, Dungeness,/««^ 23, 1804,

'* Sir, — I have received your letter of 21st in-
stant, relative to the paint and oil I have demanded
for the preservation of the boats of his Majesty's
ship under my command, and in reply to it beg
leave to inform you that I did not make that
demand without having previously stated to the
Navy Board by letter the situation of the boats of
the Leopard, and the necessity of an extra propor-
tion of paint being supplied for them ; and as by
their answer they appeared to have approved of
my application, inasmuch as they told me orders
had been sent to Deal to issue it, I concluded
nothing more remained for me than to demand

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Blockading Boulogne

the necessary quantity. Presuming, however,
from the tenor of your letter, that you have re-
ceived no direction on the subject, I shall write to
renew my application.

** With respect to ' no colour than white being
allowed for boats,' I would only ask you, as know-
ing something of the King's naval service, how
long one of our six-oared cutters would look decent
painted all white, and whether a darker colour
would not be both more durable and creditable ?
If, however, such be the regulation of the Board
(from which I know there is no appeal), I have
only to request, when you receive any order to
supply the paint, that you will give an additional
quantity of white in lieu of black.

'* The paint to which you allude in your letter
as having been supplied on the 9th and 12th June,
was sea store, and ought to have been furnished
to the ship months ago. Nor is it more than
sufficient to make her decent and fit for an Admiral
to hoist his flag in.

** I am, Sir, your humble servant,

'' Francis Wm. Austen.

** Geo. Lawrence, Esq., &c., &c."

Shingle ballast was one of the grievances of
naval officers at that time. It was, naturally, much
cheaper than iron ballast, but it had a particularly
awkward habit of shifting, and the larger stones

119

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

occasionally drilled holes in the ship. It was also
very bulky and difficult to stow.

Francis Austen was neither slow to enter a pro-
test, nor easily put off his point. He writes :

"Though the ship is deep enough in the water,
she can only acquire the proper stability by having
the weight placed lower. By a letter which I
have this day received from the Navy Board in
answer to my request, I am informed that the
Leopard cannot be supplied with more than the
established proportion of iron ballast, but if I wish
for more directions shall be given for supplying
shingle. I have, therefore, to request you will
be pleased to move their Lordships to give direc-
tions for the Leopards being supplied with the
additional iron ballast as requested in my letter to
the Navy Board."

About this time Francis Austen began to keep
a private note-book, which is still in existence, In
which he recorded (not always seriously) points of
interest in the places he visited. He seems to
have kept this note-book while he was in the
Leopard, then laid it aside for three years, and
begun it again when he was Captain of the St,
Albans. His notes on the ** Anchorage Off
Boulogne " contain some interesting details.

"• Directions for Sailing into the Roads. — There
is no danger whatever in approaching the an-
chorage usually occupied by the English squadron

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Blockading Boulogne

employed at the blockade of Boulogne, as the
water is deep and the soundings are regular.
There is a bank called the ' Basse du Basse,'
which lies about a mile off Ambleteuse, extending
in a direction nearly parallel to the shore, but
rather diverging outwards to the westward of
Boulogne Pier ; on it there are in some places as
little as three fathoms at low water, and within it
considerably deeper water." He goes on with
some special advice for the various types of vessel.

" The situation usually occupied by the British
squadron off Boulogne is, with the town bearing
from S.S.E. to E.S.E., distant about four miles,
in from i6 to 20 fathoms water; coarse sandy
bottom, with large shells and stones, which would
probably injure the cables materially, but that
from the depth of water and strength of the tides,
little of them can ever drag on the bottom,

*' From Cape Grisnez to Portel the coast is
little else than one continual battery, and I con-
ceive it to be absolutely impregnable to any attack
from the sea. Of its defences towards the land
I know nothing. I had no means of knowing
anything relative to the landing-places.

*' Trade. — On this point I had no means of acquir-
ing any certain information, but believe, previous
to the war with England, it was a place of great
resort for our smuggling vessels from the Kentish
coast. As it is a tide harbour, and completely dry

121

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

at low water, no vessels of very large draught of
water can go in, nor anything larger than a boat
until nearly half flood.'*

A hundred years have wrought great changes.
The Folkestone and Boulogne steamers have some
larger dimensions than the Leopard herself, and
they go in and out at all states of the tide.

One heading is always devoted to *' Inhabitants,"
and under this Francis Austen remarks : ** The
inhabitants are French, subjects to Napoleon the
First, lately exalted to the Imperial dignity by the
unanimous suffrages of himself and his creatures."
The sarcastic tone of the reference to Napoleon
was characteristic of the general tenor of publica-
tions in England at the time. '* The Tom Thumb
egotism and impudent bulletins of the Corsican
usurper continue almost without a parallel in his-
tory," says the Naval Chronicle. The language
in which this protest is couched is hardly that we
should use now in speaking of Napoleon.

Charles, when the war broke out again, was re-
appointed to the EndymioUy and served on her
with some distinction until October 1 804, when he
was given the command of the Indian sloop.

Among other prizes taken under Captain Paget,
who finally recommended Lieutenant Charles
Austen for command, the Endymion had captured
the French corvette Bacchante on the return
voyage from St. Domingo to Brest ; she had left

122

Blockading Boulogne

France about three months before, meeting with
\ki^ Endymion on June 25, 1803. This prize was
a remarkably fine corvette, and was added to the
British Navy.

Somewhere about this time Charles had come
across Lord Leven and his family, and was evi-
dently useful to them in some way, besides being
doubtless extremely agreeable. When Lord and
Lady Leven were in Bath, they made some effort
to become acquainted with the family of Mr.
Austen, and Jane writes to Cassandra describing
a visit paid one morning by her mother and her-
self:

** When I tell you I have been visiting a countess
this morning, you will immediately (with great
justice, but no truth) guess it to be Lady Roden.
No ; it is Lady Leven, the mother of Lord Bal-
gonie. On receiving a message from Lord and
Lady Leven through the Mackys, declaring their
intention of waiting on us, we thought it right to
go to them. I hope we have not done too much,
but friends and admirers of Charles must be at-
tended to. They seem very reasonable, good
sort of people, very civil, and full of his praise.
We were shown at first into an empty drawing-
room, and presently in came his lordship (not
knowing who we were) to apologise for the
servant s mistake, and to say himself — what was

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Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

untrue — that Lady Leven was not within. He
is a tall, gentleman-like looking man, with spec-
tacles, and rather deaf. After sitting with him
ten minutes we walked away, but Lady Leven
coming out of the dining-parlour as we passed the
door, we were obliged to attend her back to it, and
pay our visit over again. She is a stout woman,
with a very handsome face. By this means we
had the pleasure of hearing Charles's praises twice
over. They think themselves excessively obliged
to him, and estimate him so highly as to wish
Lord Balgonie, when he is quite recovered, to go
out to him.

"There is a pretty little Lady Marianne of the
party to be shaken hands with, and asked if she
remembered Mr. Austen. ... I shall write to
Charles by the next packet, unless you tell me in
the meantime of your intending to do it.

*' Belize me, if you chuse,

" Your affectionate sister."

In January 1805, j^st before Francis Austen
was moved from the Leopard to the Canopus, and
a few months after Charles had taken command of
the Indian, a family sorrow came upon them.
Jane wrote twice to tell the news to Frank, as
the first letter was directed to Dungeness, in the
belief that the Leopard was there, instead of at
Portsmouth.

124

MRS. AUSTEN

Blockading Boulogne

•' Green Park Buildings,

" Monday, January 21, 1805.

** My dearest Frank, — I have melancholy
news to relate, and sincerely feel for your feelings
under the shock of it. I wish I could better pre-
pare you for it, but, having said so much, your
mind will already foretell the sort of event which
I have to communicate. Our dear father has
closed his virtuous and happy life in a death
almost as free from suffering as his children could
have wished. He was taken ill on Saturday morn-
ing, exactly in the same way as heretofore — an
oppression in the head, with fever, violent tremu-
lousness, and the greatest degree of feebleness.
The same remedy of cupping, which had before
been so successful, was immediately applied to,
but without such happy effects. The attack was
more violent, and at first he seemed scarcely at all
relieved by the operation. Towards the evening,
however, he got better, had a tolerable night, and
yesterday morning was so greatly amended as
to get up, join us at breakfast as usual, and walk
about without the help of a stick ; and every
symptom was then so favourable that, when Bo wen
saw him at one, he felt sure of his doing perfectly
well. But as the day advanced all these com-
fortable appearances gradually changed, the fever
grew stronger than ever, and when Bowen saw
him at ten at night he pronounced his situation

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Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

to be most alarming. At nine this morning he
came again, and by his desire a physician was
called in, Dr. Gibbs. But it was then absolutely
a lost case. Dr. Gibbs said that nothing but a
miracle could save him, and about twenty minutes
after ten he drew his last gasp. Heavy as is the
blow, we can already feel that a thousand com-
forts remain to us to soften it. Next to that of the
consciousness of his worth and constant prepara-
tion for another world, is the remembrance of his
having suffered, comparatively speaking, nothing.
Being quite insensible of his own state, he was
spared all pain of separation, and he went off
almost in his sleep. My mother bears the shock
as well as possible ; she was quite prepared for it,
and feels all the blessing of his being spared a
long illness. My uncle and aunt have been with
us, and show us every imaginable kindness. And
to-morrow we shall, I dare say, have the comfort
of James' presence, as an express has been sent
for him. We write also, of course, to Godmersham
and Brompton. Adieu, my dearest Frank. The
loss of such a parent must be felt, or we should
be brutes. I wish I could give you a better pre-
paration, but it has been impossible.

*' Yours ever affectionately,

"J. A.'^

As this letter was wrongly addressed, it was

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Blockading Boulogne

necessary for Jane to write a second one to send
direct to Portsmouth.

" Green Park Buildings,

** Tuesday Evening, January 22, 1805.

*' My dearest Frank, — I wrote to you yesterday,
but your letter to Cassandra this morning, by which
we learn the probability of your being by this
time at Portsmouth, obliges me to write to you
again, having, unfortunately, a communication as
necessary as painful to make to you. Your affec-
tionate heart will be greatly wounded, and I wish
the shock could have been lessened by a better
preparation ; but the event has been sudden, and
so must be the information of it. We have lost
an excellent father. An illness of only eight and
forty hours carried him off yesterday morning be-
tween ten and eleven. He was seized on Saturday
with a return of the feverish complaint which he
had been subject to for the last three years —
evidently a more violent attack from the first, as
the applications which had before produced almost
immediate relief seemed for some time to afford
him scarcely any. On Sunday, however, he was
much better — so much so as to make Bowen
quite easy, and give us every hope of his being
well again in a few days. But these hopes
gradually gave way as the day advanced, and when
Bowen saw him at ten that night he was greatly

127

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

alarmed. A physician was called in yesterday
morning, but he was at that time past all possibility
of cure ; and Dr. Gibbs and Mr. Bowen had
scarcely left his room before he sunk into a sleep
from which he never awoke. Everything, I trust
and believe, was done for him that was possible.
It has been very sudden. Within twenty-four
hours of his death he was walking about with
only the help of a stick — was even reading. We
had, however, some hours of preparation, and
when we understood his recovery to be hopeless,
most fervently did we pray for the speedy release
which ensued. To have seen him languishing
long, struggling for hours, would have been
dreadful — and, thank God, we were all spared
from it. Except the restlessness and confusion
of high fever, he did not suffer, and he was merci-
fully spared from knowing that he was about to
quit objects so beloved and so fondly cherished
as his wife and children ever were. His tenderness
as a father, who can do justice to .^^ My mother
is tolerably well ; she bears up with the greatest
fortitude, but I fear her health must suffer under
such a shock. An express was sent for James, and
he arrived here this morning before eight o'clock.
The funeral is to be on Saturday at Walcot Church.
The serenity of the corpse is most delightful. It
preserves the sweet, benevolent smile which always
distinguished him. They kindly press my mother

128

Blockading Boulogne

to remove to Steventon as soon as it is all over,
but I do not believe she will leave Bath at present.
We must have this house for three months longer,
and here we shall probably stay till the end of that
time. We all unite in love, and I am

** Affectionately yours,

"J. A."

This was followed in a few days by another.

" Green Park Buildings,

"Tuesday, /awwafj/ 29, 1805.

" My dearest Frank, — My mother has found
among our dear father's little personal property
a small astronomical instrument, which she hopes
you will accept for his sake. It is, I believe, a
compass and sun-dial, and is in a black shagreen
case. Would you have it sent to you now — and
with what direction ? There is also a pair of
scissors for you. We hope these are articles that
may be useful to you, but we are sure they will
be valuable. I have not time for more.

** Yours very affectionately,

"J. A."

129

CHAPTER IX

THE PURSUIT OF VILLENEUVE

For a little over a year Francis Austen was
Flag-Captain in the Canopus. This ship, which
had been captured from the French at the Battle
of the Nile, had originally been called Le Franklin,
and was one of the best built vessels in the Navy
of that day, carrying eighty guns.

On March 29, 1805, Rear- Admiral Louis
hoisted his flag in the Canopus, and soon after-
wards became second in command to Nelson.

Perhaps few, even among British captains of
that day, were engaged in search of French fleets
across the Atlantic twice within a twelvemonth,
but the story in the log-book of the Canopus for
that year tells of the chase of Villeneuve before
Trafalgar, of the second cruise and of the battle
of St. Domingo, followed by the return voyage to
England with three French line-of-battle ships as
prizes.

The subtle strategy of the Emperor Napoleon,
with the counter-strokes of Nelson and the British

130

The Pursuit of Villeneuve

Admiralty, have been often described ; but the
history of those months, told day by day in the
log-book of the Campus, has a freshness of detail
which gives reality to such stock phrases as
*' contrary winds " or ** strange sails," and makes
one recognise that it was the men at sea who
really did the work.

The escape of Villeneuve's fleet from Toulon
begins the series of events in 1805 which led up
to the Battle of Trafalgar. Napoleon s original
plan has since become well known.

Villeneuve was to be joined in the West Indies
by the combined fleets under Ganteaume from
Brest, and Missiessy from Rochefort. The force
thus gathered was to cross the Atlantic, gain
possession of the narrow seas by overpowering the
Channel fleet, and then the long-threatened
invasion of England was to be attempted by the
Grand Army, embarked in the Boulogne flotilla.

The plan was so far forward that the fleet from
Toulon was already at sea, and the Rochefort
squadron had reached the West Indies. It only
remained to get the Brest fleet out of harbour.
This was, however, exactly where the plan failed.
The blockading force was not to be moved and
could not be eluded. False news of troubles in
India and false declarations of intentions were all
unavailing ; and even the bluff in the French
papers that, so far from waiting till the British

131

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

would let them go, the French fleet could and
would sail whenever it was convenient, did not
effect the withdrawal of a single British ship from
Ushant. At the same time the fact that the
Toulon fleet was at large was enough to cause
anxiety to Nelson, especially as it was quite
impossible to tell what might be Villeneuve's
orders. Nelson supposed him to be making for
Egypt, and took up a position accordingly mid-
way between Sardinia and Africa.

The fleet with Nelson at this time is recorded
in the log of the Canopus as follows :

100 Victory Rt. Honble. Lord Viscount Nelson, K.B.,

Vice-Admiral of the White, &c. &c.
Rear-Admiral George Murray, Capt. of

the Fleet.
Captain Thomas Hardy.
100 Royal Sovereign Sir Richard Bickerton, Baronet, Rear-
Admiral of the Red.
Captain John Stuart.
80 Canopus Thomas Louis, Esq., Rear- Admiral of the

Blue.
Captain F. W. Austen.
„ Richard G. Keats.
„ Honble. Robert Stopford.
„ Mark Robinson.
„ William Hargood.
„ Israel Pellew.
„ Benjamin Hallo well.
„ H. W. Baynton.
„ Pulteney Malcolm.

The Royal Sovereign was found unfit to make
the voyage across the Atlantic, and went home

132

Superb

Spencer

Swift sure

Belleisle

Conqueror

Tigre

Leviathan

Donegal

ORDER OF BATTLE AND OF SAILING

/•NO

ships' names.

Caiiopus

Superb

Repeating

Frigates

Victory ,

7-
8.

Donegal

Spencer

JO.

r ^'

Q
<

Tigre .

Repkating

Royal Sovereign

Frigates

CO '

Leviathan .

WO.

captains.
r Rear- Admiral Thomas Louis
\ Captain Francis Wm. Austen

Richard Goodwin Keats

TThe Commandc-in-Chief
-| Rear-Admiral George Murray
1^ Captain Thomas Hardy
Pulieney Malcolm

Hon. R. Stopford

Benjamin Hallowell

/Rear-Admiral Sir Richard Bickerton/^
\Captaiu John Stuart

Henry Wm. Baynton

Repeating
Frigates

4«

Excellent ,

. Frank Sotheron

i5^//^/x/^ .

. William Hargood

Conqueror .

. Israel Pellew

Lio.

Swiftsnre

. Mark Robinson

u
o

To FRANCIS AUSTEN, Esq.
Captain of His Majesty's Ship Canopus

Dated on board the

Victory, in Palma Bay,

March 26, 1805

{Signed) NELSON AND BRONTE

The Pursuit of Villeneuve

from Lagos in May for thorough repairs, which
were so effective that she carried ColHngwood's
flag into action, before any other of the fleet, at
Trafalgar.

The narrative begins at the Bay of Palma in
Sardinia, amid general preparations throughout
the fleet.

On the 4th of April the Admiral signalled **to
prepare for action, as the enemy's fleet from
Toulon is at sea." After this the fleet cruised for
some days between Sardinia and Sicily, waiting
for news of the enemy's movements. If, as was
thought possible, they were bound for Egypt, the
position taken up by Nelson was a strong one.
There were daily consultations of the admirals
and captains on board the Victory, After about a
fortnight of this uncertainty, ** intelligence is
gained " that the sixteen French ships of the line
were spoken on the 7th of April, off Cartagena,
going west. On the i8th this news was confirmed,
with the addition that they had passed Gibraltar
on the 9th, and were joined by five Spanish two-
deckers, and had continued westward with fair
winds. Now ensued an anxious time. The enemy
were well started ten days in advance, with the
wind behind them, while the British fleet were still
battling with adverse winds in the Mediterranean.
Every breeze is carefully noted in the log, and the
slow progress evidently gave the greatest concern.

133

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

On the 22nd and 23rd of April, the distance
made was only fifteen miles in all : ** Extremely-
variable baffling winds and squally weather, tack-
ing or wearing every two or three hours, the
squadron very much dispersed." Ordinarily the
Victory was within half a mile, **but now four or
six miles away." Majorca was In sight at one
time, and the African coast at another, but the
progress towards Gibraltar must have been
scarcely perceptible. The Rock was seen for the
first time on the 2nd May, still twelve leagues
away, and on the 4th they anchored in Tetuan
Bay. Here was hard work to be done in getting
fresh water and provisions on board. At Gibraltar
on the 6th the Canopus did not even anchor, as
the wind was at last fair, and their stay was only
for four hours.

On May 9th, the Victory signalled " to prepare
demands to complete provisions for five months,"
which was accomplished off Lagos In Portugal
by the morning of the nth. Then the Admiral
made telegraph signal, "Rendezvous Barbadoes,"
and the whole fleet made sail for the West
Indies.

With fair winds and a straight course, the
distance of 3200 miles was accomplished by the
4th of June.

t^^

The Pursuit of Villeneuve

The sailing order of the squadron was :

FRIGATES ON
WEATHER LINE. LEE LINE. VICTORY'S WEATHER BEAM.

100 Victory, 80 Canopus.

74 Superb. 74 Leviathan.

74 Donegal. 74 Belleisk. 32 Amphion.

74 Spencer, 74 Conqueror. 38 Amazon.

74 Tigre. 74 Swiftsure. 26 Decade.

There is very little in the log to indicate the
intense expectation that must have been present
as they made their entries of the diminishing
distance.

** May 15. — Island of Barbadoes S. 64.46 W.,
dist. ^yy leagues.

''May 22. — S. 70.15 W., dist. 589 leagues."

The careful comparison of observations with
the vessels of the weather line, repairs to spars and
sails, and general preparation for what might
happen on arrival, seem to fill up the days, while
the north-east trade winds gave them fine and
clear weather.

" Oh, the wonder of the great trade wind ! All
day we sailed and all night, and all the next day,
and the next, day after day, the wind always
astern and blowing steadily and strong. The
schooner sailed herself There was no pulling and
hauling on sheets and tackles, no shifting of top-
sails, no work at all for the sailors to do except to
steer. At night, when the sun went down, the
sheets were slackened ; in the morning when they

135

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

yielded up the damp of the dew and relaxed, they
were pulled tight again — and that was all. Ten
knots, twelve knots, eleven knots, varying from
time to time, is the speed we are making. And
ever out of the north-east the brave wind blows,
driving us on our course two hundred and fifty
miles between the dawns."

These words, taken from one of our popular
modern novels,^ give us some idea of what sailing
was in those days.

The usual record every twelve hours is ** Victory
north one mile." Sometimes the flagship is rather
more distant, and occasionally the ** Admiral
(Louis) went on board the Victory'' Doubtless
the impatience and excitement was not all on
Nelson's part. Every man in the fleet must have
felt that a battle was not far off. All this
time the three frigates were almost daily out in
chase, but no enemy was sighted, and it was not
until June 3 that the Admiral signalled that the
French and Spanish squadrons were at Mar-
tinique, ** having gained this intelligence from two
English letters of marque."

Next day they arrived at Barbadoes, where the

Admiral gave orders to embark troops. Nine

regiments had been sent out from England in the

spring, but had not arrived in time to prevent

Missiessy and his squadron from Rochefort from

<* The " Sea Wolf," by Jack London, Heinemann.
136

The Pursuit of Villeneuve

doing much as they chose during his stay among
the islands. His troops had taken possession of
Dominica, excepting a fort held by General
Prevost's force, and he had laid under contribution
Montserrat, Nevis and St. Kitt's.

Missiessy had then departed, according to the
Emperor's instructions, for France, crossing Ville-
neuve's fleet in Mid-Atlantic. Thus Napoleon's
grand scheme of combination fell through. The
fleets from Toulon and Rochefort missed each
other, instead of meeting at the West Indies, and
the Brest fleet did not succeed in getting past the
British blockade. The Canopus log of July 17
records the return of Missiessy's squadron. " Five
sail of the line and four frigates arrived at Roche-
fort, on May 21. Vessels dismantled and
remained."

The troops embarked by the squadron at
Barbadoes were some of those despatched hither
in the spring. There is a record of a characteristic
order on June 3 :

** Admiral made telegraph signal — ' Troops to
be victualled at whole allowance of provisions.'"
The practice of the day was that soldiers at sea
received smaller rations than the ship's company —
just the sort of unreasonable orders which it would
delight Nelson to set aside.

Early on the 5th the squadron was again under
weigh, the Victory leading and the Canopus astern ;

137

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

but in consequence of wrong information received
they were on a southerly course, and hourly
increasing their distance from the combined
enemy's fleet, which was still among the islands,
but to the northward of Martinique. The signal
at three o'clock ** to prepare for battle " was not
to be followed by any immediate action.

On the 7th the Gulf of Paria, in Trinidad, was
reached, but still no news of the enemy was
obtained. The log merely mentions anchoring
there for the night and sailing for the northerly
islands next morning. The careful records of
barometer and temperature are here interrupted,
as " barometer taken down in clearing for action."

All through June 10, 11 and 1 2 the smaller craft
were constantly detached to the various islands
for intelligence, and finally they all anchored at
Antigua.

^^ June 12. — Admiral made signal to prepare
letters for England. At eight o'clock the Curieux
brig parted company for England."

This brig had a history of some interest. She
had been captured from the French on February
3, 1804. She was cut out by the Centa^ir from
the harbour of Martinique, just after the Diamond
Rock had been seized and garrisoned by the same
man-of-war. The story is pathetically told by M.
Cheminant, the only French officer who survived
the action.

138

ORDER OF BATTLE AND OF SAILING

4. Superb

Repeating a\ |* j^. ,

Frigates ^ ^' ^''^^'ry

NO. ships' names.
I. Canoptii

Repeating '
Frigates tn '

U 9-
.10.

7. Donegal •
8.

9. Spencef ,
10.

3. 7X?^* .

5. Northumberland

7. Leviathan •

Repeating d

Relkisie
, Excellent

8. Swiflsure

9, Spavtiate

CAPTAINS.

/Rear- Admiral Louis

\ Captain Francis W. Austen

Richard G. Keats

{Commander-in-Chief
Rear-Admiral Murray
Captain Thomas Hardy
Pultenty Malcolm

Hon. R. Stopford

Benjamin Hallowell

/ Rear-Admiral Hon. A. Cochrane
\ Captain George Tobin

Wm. Henry Baynton

William Hargood

Israel Pellew

W. G. Rutherford

Sir Francis Laforey, Bart.

To FRANCIS WILLIAM AUSTEN, Esq.
Captain of His Majesty's Ship Canopus

Dated on board the Victory

in Carlisle Bay, Barbadoes,

June 5, 1805

{.Signed) NELSON AND BRONTE

The Pursuit of Villeneuve

" On board the Curieux, captured by the English,

" Pluviose 14, Year 12.

** The only officer remaining of those who com-
manded the crew of the Curieux, I owe you a
faithful report of the cruel tragedy which has
delivered us up to the enemy.

** On the 13th instant, before one o'clock in the
morning I was on deck with a midshipman and
twenty men, according to the orders given by
Captain Cordier. The weather was of the darkest,
especially in the northern direction. Sentries
were placed abaft at the ladder and forward. Our
boarding nettings were triced up. We had hardly
perceived the English boats before they boarded
by the stern and the main shrouds. We had only
time to discharge two guns with grape shot, one
swivel and a wall piece, when the enemy were on
board, and forced us to have recourse to the sabre,
pike and musketry."

Lieutenant Bettesworth took a chief part in the
attack, and was eventually rewarded with the
command of the brig, which had been one of the
best vessels of its kind in the French navy.

It was an important mission which was now
entrusted to Captain Bettesworth. He was to
sail for England with despatches from Lord
Nelson for the Admiralty, steering a certain
course in the hope that he would sight the enemy's

139

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

fleet Nelson was right in his conjecture, and
Captain Bettesworth reached England with the
news that Villeneuve was on the return voyage.

The Curieux anchored at Plymouth on July 7,
and the Captain reached the Admiralty at 11 p.m.
on the 8th, too late, in the officials' opinion, for
the First Lord to be disturbed. Lord Barham, a
sailor himself, knew well the value of time in naval
matters, and was much annoyed at the loss of so
many precious hours. Though over eighty years
of age his judgment was rapid and accurate.
Early on the 9th Admiralty messages were on the
way to Portsmouth and Plymouth. Admiral Corn-
wallis, off Ushant, received his orders on the nth
to detach the squadron blockading Rochefort and
send it to join Calder westward off Cape Finis-
terre, while he himself was to cruise south of
Ushant. To the amazement of Napoleon, only
eight days after the arrival of the Curieux, Sir
Robert Calder was ready with fifteen ships off
Ferrol. There Villeneuve met him, and an action
took place which should have been decisive, but
by reason of excessive caution on the part of
Calder, only caused loss of ships and men to both
sides without advantage to either. Calder joined
Cornwallis off Ushant, while Villeneuve went into
Vigo Bay and afterwards Into Ferrol.

Nelson's squadron began the voyage back from
the West Indies on June 15, and we have again

140

The Pursuit of Villeneuve

in the log of the Canopus the matter-of-fact, day-
to-day record of routine work, vessels spoken, ** no
intelligence," small prizes, rigging out of gear,
and so forth, behind which was the background of
suppressed excitement, of unremitting watch, and
of constant readiness. As the months went on and
the situation developed, the excitement increased,
and reached its climax only with Trafalgar Day.

One entry gives an idea of the difference in the
conditions of warfare then and now. " On June
19, an English merchant vessel was spoken by
the Amphion frigate. They signalled — * Have
English papers to the 3rd of May. Interesting
debates.' Admiral asked — * Who is First Lord
of the Admiralty '^ ' Answer — ' Lord Barham.'
Knowing so little as they did of affairs at
home, they could not be sure that all might not
be over before they got back.

''June 29. — The Amazon at daylight was seen
to be towing a captured Spanish Tartan, from
La Guayra. The people on board did not know
of the war." This was undoubtedly an extreme
case, and one feels some sympathy for the " people
on board," who were captured before they knew
that they were fighting.

The winds were naturally less favourable for
the return voyage, but by taking a course near
Bermuda, and tothe Azores, they made much better
headway than Villeneuve had managed to do, and

141

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

reached Gibraltar on July 17. After a few days
here they gained intelligence of the doings of the
Curieux brig, and sailed northwards to join Admiral
Cornwallis off Ushant.

** August 1 5. — Off Ushant. Lord Nelson saluted
Admiral Cornwallis with fifteen guns, returned
with thirteen. — Joined the Channel Fleet of
twenty-four sail of the line. Answered our signal
to follow orders of Admiral Cornwallis in the Ville
de Paris''

** August 16. — Thirty-five sail of the line in com-
pany. Victory and Superb parted company for
England."

We read from a contemporary writer that
Nelson arrived '* filled with mortification, which
those who first conversed with him after his arrival
state to have amounted almost to anguish, at his
disappointment " at having missed Villeneuve in
the West Indies.

''August 17. — Ville de Paris made signal to
Prince of Wales (Sir R. Calder) to part company,
on service previously denoted. Made sail (south-
wards) in company with squadron of nineteen sail
of the line."

*' On 20th Naiad brought intelligence that the
French fleet had sailed from Ferrol on the 13th.'*

*' On 22nd, off Peninsular coast, Admiral Calder
signalled * Prepare for battle.' "

This was almost on the very spot of his inde-

142

The Pursuit of Villeneuve

cisive fight of July 23. Calder's ''order of battle"
gives very full details on various contingencies,
making a sharp contrast with those signed
** Nelson and Bronte," in which the ships* stations
only are set down, the rest of the orders being
given in the plan of attack well known as the
*• Nelson Touch."

In the log of 24th " the enemy's fleet of twenty-
eight sail of the line were off Cape St. Vincent on
the 1 8th, when they fell in with and destroyed four
sail of merchantmen, under convoy of the Halcyon,
which narrowly escaped capture. In the after-
noon, the EuryaluSy with despatches from V. A.
Collingwood, reported that the combined fleet
anchored in Cadiz on the 21st, making in all
thirty-four sail of the line."

With the enemy in Cadiz the only thing to be
done was to wait until they came out. On the 30th
the log records : ** Joined Vice-Admiral Colling-
wood's squadron of five sail of the line." The
fleet wore and stood off, while Canopus, Spencer,
Tigre, Leviathan and Donegal were ordered to
cruise in sight of Cadiz. This plan of keeping a
squadron close in shore was followed throughout
September, while the fleet awaited the arrival of
Nelson from England, and the enemy watched
for an opportunity to get out, either to meet the
British fleet or to pass them on the way into the
Mediterranean.

143

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

An extract from the Naval Chronicle shows
something of popular feeling in England at this
juncture. The remarks on Nelson as contrasted
with those of a few months later, after Trafalgar
had been fought and won, are more amusing than
instructive.

*' The arrival of Lord Nelson and Sir Robert
Calder's action are the principal events of the
last month which have occupied the public mind.
It has been said that the former, with Sir Sydney-
Smith, is soon to embark on some desperate pro-
ject against the enemy, and we most sincerely
wish to see his lordship employed at the present
moment in the defence of our own shores. Should
the mad project of invasion ever be attempted,
the public would feel additional security from
having the Hero of the Nile off our own coast.
But we greatly lament that ill-judged and over-
weening popularity which tends to make another
demigod of Lord Nelson at the expense of all
other officers in the Service, many of whom
possess equal merit and equal abilities and equal
gallantry with the noble Admiral.

*' Sir Robert Calder has not yet, even to the
Admiralty, given that explanation of his conduct
which his country expects and his character
demands. With his character and its failings we
are well acquainted, but we only wish to regard
his talents. The French fleet did certainly not

144

The Pursuit ot Villeneuve

run away ; owing to the particular manoeuvres of
the action, they may be said even to have pursued
us, and this may, perhaps, have been occasioned
by some feint of our Admiral in order to attack the
French to greater advantage. But the whole is
at present merely conjecture, until some further
explanation of the action has taken place. The
account which the French have published in the
Moniteur, allowing for their natural boasting and
vanity, contains a greater portion of truth than
usual."

Villeneuve's letter will give an idea of what
that account was. '' The battle then began almost
along the whole line. We fired by the light of the
enemy's fire, almost always without seeing them.
The fog did not abate during the remainder of
the evening. At the first peep of dawn I made
signal to bear down upon the enemy, who had
taken their position at a great distance, and
endeavoured by every possible press of sail to
avoid renewing the action. Finding it impossible
to force them to an engagement, I thought it my
duty not to remove further from the line of my
destination."

In consequence of this Sir Robert Calder was
recalled and tried by court-martial at Portsmouth in
the following December, when he was severely re-
primanded foran '*errorinjudgment." The severity
of tone of the Naval Chronicle towards those who

145 K

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

were fighting the country's battles finds its parallel
in the French newspapers of the date. Villeneuve
was deeply stung by a sneering remark In the
Moniteur upon what the conduct of the French
fleet might be If commanded by a man of ability —
so much so as to Induce him to disregard Napo-
leon's wishes that he should go to Toulon, col-
lecting forces on the way, and to lead him to
come to close quarters with our fleet as soon as a
convenient opportunity offered. Of that oppor-
tunity and the Battle of Trafalgar to which It led
we will speak in the following chapter.

146

CHAPTER X

"A MELANCHOLY SITUATION"

The month of September was spent in blockading
Cadiz. The Canopus, as already stated, was one
of the squadron of five told off to keep close in
shore and watch the port. So close were they
that one time the Tigre nearly ran aground and
had to be towed off. The log on September i6th
gives an account of what could be seen of the
enemy's fleet.

**We stood in till all the enemy's fleet were
open of the town, and had an opportunity of dis-
tinctly counting them. Their whole force con-
sisted of thirty-three sail of the line and five
frigates, all apparently quite ready for sea, with
the exception of two ships of the line ; one of
which (French) had her topmasts struck, and main
top-gallant mast down on the deck ; the other
(Spanish) had her fore-mast struck and fore-stay
slack as if doing something to the bowsprit. Of
the ships of the line seventeen were French and
sixteen Spanish, of which last two were three-

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

deckers. The frigates were all French, and one
of them appeared to have a poop. We saw also
at the Carracas three large ships (two of them
appearing to be three-deckers) and two small ones,
all of them in a considerable state of forwardness
in point of rigging."

On September 28 the Victory arrived from
England, with Nelson on board, and three days
later the Canopus joined the main part of the
fleet, and was almost immediately told off to take
her turn in the duty of fetching water from
Gibraltar. The story of the month of October,
with its hopes, fears, and disappointments, is best
told by Francis Austen himself in the following
letter to Mary Gibson :

" Canopus at Sea, off Gibraltar, October 15, 1805.

** My dearest Mary, — Having now got over
the hurry and bustle which unavoidably attends
every ship while in the act of compleating provi-
sions, water and stores, I think it high time to
devote some part of my attention to your amuse-
ment, and to be in a state of preparation for any
opportunity which may offer of dispatching letters
to England. But in order to make myself under-
stood I must endeavour to be methodical, and
therefore shall commence the account I have now
to send you from the date of my last, which was
finished and forwarded by the Nimble brig on the

148

" A Melancholy Situation

2nd of this month. We had then just joined the
fleet from the in-shore squadron, and, I beUeve I
mentioned, were about to quit it again for Gibral-
tar and Tetuan. We sailed that evening with
four other ships of the line, a frigate, and five
merchant vessels under convoy, and on the follow-
ing morning fell in with the Euryalus, which we
had left off Cadiz to watch the enemy. Captain
Blackwood informed us by signal that he had
received information by a Swedish ship from
Cadiz that the troops had all embarked on board
the men-of-war, and it was reported they were to
sail with the first easterly wind. Though much
confidence could not be placed on the accuracy
and authenticity of this intelligence, it was, how-
ever, of such a nature as to induce Admiral Louis
to return with four of the ships to Lord Nelson,
leaving the Zealous and Endymion (both of them
crippled ships) to proceed with the convoy to
Gibraltar. We rejoined the Commander-in-Chief
on the morning of the 5th, and were again dis-
patched in the course of the day.

** The wind being directly against us, and blow-
ing very strong, we were not able to reach
Gibraltar until the 9th, when every exertion was
made to get on board such supplies of stores and
provisions as we were in want of, and the Rock
could supply. This was effected in three days, at
which time the wind changed to the westward and

149

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

became favourable for our watering at Tetuan,
where we anchored on the evening of the 12th.
We sailed again last night to return to the fleet,
having got on board in the course of two days,
with our own boats alone, 300 tons of water, and
every other ship had got a proportionate quantity.
You will judge from this that we have not been
idle. We are now expecting a wind to take us
out of the Mediterranean again, and hope to
accomplish it in the course of the next twenty-
four hours ; at present it is nearly calm, but
appearances indicate an easterly wind. We are,
of course, very anxious to get back to the fleet for
fear the enemy should be moving, for the idea of
their doing so while we are absent is by no means
pleasant. Having borne our share in a tedious
chace and anxious blockade, it would be mortify-
ing indeed to find ourselves at last thrown out of
any share of credit or emolument which would
result from an action. Such, I hope, will not be
our lot, though, if they do venture out at all, it
must happen to some one, as a part of the fleet
will be constantly sent in to compleat as fast as
the others arrive from having performed that
duty.

** Our stay at Gibraltar was not productive of
much gaiety to us ; we dined only twice on shore,
and both times with General Fox, the Governor.
We had engagements for several succeeding days

150

"A Melancholy Situation"

on our hands ; but this change of wind making it
necessary for us to move off, our friends were left
to lament our absence, and eat the fatted calf
without us. I believe I have mentioned in a
former letter that the young lady / admired so
much (Miss Smith) was married to the Colonel
Keen, whom Sutton will not acknowledge as an
acquaintance. As a matter of civility, I called
with the Admiral Louis to make them a morning
visit, but we were not fortunate enough to find
them at home, which, of course, / very much
regretted. The last evening of our stay at
Gibraltar we went, after dining with the General,
to see Othello performed by some of the
officers of the garrison. The theatre is small,
but very neatly fitted up ; the dresses and scenery
appeared good, and I might say the same of
the acting could I have seen or heard anything
of it ; but, although I was honoured with a seat
in the Governor's box at the commencement of
the performance, yet I did not long profit by it,
for one of his aide-de-camps, happening to be
married, and his lady happening also to come in
during the first scene, I was obliged to resign my
situation, happy to have it in my power to
accomodate a fair one. The play was Othello,
and by what I have been able to collect from the
opinions of those who were more advantageously
situated for seeing and hearing than myself, I did

151

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

not experience a very severe loss from my com-
plaisance. I believe the Admiral was not much
better amused than I was, for, at the expiration of
the first act, he proposed departing, which I very
readily agreed to, as I had for some time found
the house Insufferably close and hot. I hardly
need add that the evening was not quite so pro-
ductive of pleasure to me as the last theatrical
representation I had witnessed, which was at
Covent Garden some time in the beginning of
February last, when I had the honour of being
seated by a fair young lady, with whom I be-
came slightly acquainted the preceding year at
Ramsgate.

*' Do you happen to recollect anything of the
evening ? I think you do, and that you will not
readily forget it.

" October i8. — The hopes with which I had
flattered myself of getting out of the Straits two
days ago have not been realised, and, from the
circumstances which have since occurred, it is
very uncertain when we shall get to the fleet
again. The wind on the evening of the 15th
came to the westward and forced us back to
Tetuan, where we remained till yesterday evening,
at which time a frigate came over with orders for
Admiral Louis to give protection to a convoy then
collected at Gibraltar for Malta, as far as Carta-
gena, after which he is to return to the Com-

((

A Melancholy Situation"

mander-in-Chief. We accordingly came over to
the Rock this morning, and are now proceeding as
fast as possible with the trade to the eastward.
Our force consists of five sail of the line and
three frigates, which last we shall leave in charge
of the convoy as soon as we have seen them safe
past the Carthagena squadron. I can't say I
much like the prospect. I do not expect to derive
any advantage from it, and it puts us completely
out of the way in case the enemy should make an
attempt to get to sea, which is by no means im-
probable, if he knows Lord Nelson's force is
weakened by the detachment of so many ships.
It is since I last wrote to you I believe that your
No. 3 has come to hand ; it was brought by
Brigadier-General Tilson, and was enclosed under
cover from Henry. It has been months on the
journey. There are still three of yours missing,
Nos. 5, 6 and 7, some of which I suppose are
gone to seek me in the West Indies, but I trust
they will do so in vain there. We have heard
from the fleet off Cadiz, and learn that it has
been reinforced by the arrival of five men-of-war
from England, some of which I hope have brought
letters, or they might as well have stayed away.
Sir Robert Calder is gone home in the Prince of
Wales, which I am sorry has happened during our
absence, as by it a very fine opportunity of writ-
ing has been lost, which is always a source of

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

regret to me when it occurs. I cannot, however,
accuse myself of any neglect, and you will, I hope,
as readily acquit me of it ; indeed, when you know
the circumstances, I am sure you will, though I
daresay you will feel rather disappointed to hear
a man-of-war has arrived from the Cadiz fleet
and find no letter arrived from me, unless you
happened to recollect that I expected to go to
Gibraltar and, therefore, would probably have been
absent when she left the station.

''October 21. — We have just bid adieu to the
convoy, without attending them quite so far as
was originally intended, having this day received
intelligence, by a vessel despatched in pursuit of
us, that on Saturday, 19th, the enemy's fleet was
actually under way, and coming out of Cadiz.

** Our situation is peculiarly unpleasant and dis-
tressing, for if they escape Lord Nelson's vigil-
ance and get into the Mediterranean, which is not
very likely, we shall be obliged, with our small
force, to keep out of their way ; and on the other
hand, should an action take place, it must be
decided long before we could possibly get down
even were the wind fair, which at present it is not.
As I have no doubt but the event would be highly
honourable to our arms, and be at the same time
productive of some good prizes, I shall have to
lament our absence on such an occasion on a
double account, the loss of pecuniary advantage

154

" A Melancholy Situation "

as well as of professional credit. And after having
been so many months in a state of constant and
unremitting fag, to be at last cut out by a parcel
of folk just come from their homes, where some
of them were sitting at their ease the greater
part of last war, and the whole of this, till just
now, is particularly hard and annoying.

" You, perhaps, may not feel this so forcibly as
I do, and in your satisfaction at my having avoided
the danger of battle may not much regret my
losing the credit of having contributed to gain a
victory ; not so myself !

'* I do not profess to like fighting for its own
sake, but if there have been an action with the
combined fleets I shall ever consider the day on
which I sailed from the squadron as the most in-
auspicious one of my life.

" October 27, off Tetuan. — Alas ! my dearest
Mary, all my fears are but too fully justified.
The fleets have met, and, after a very severe con-
test, a most decisive victory has been gained by
the English twenty-seven over the enemy's thirty-
three. Seventeen of the ships are taken and one
is burnt ; but I am truly sorry to add that this
splendid affair has cost us many lives, and amongst
them the most invaluable one to the nation, that
of our gallant, and ever-to-be-regreted, Com-
mander-in-Chief, Lord Nelson, who was mortally
wounded by a musket shot, and only lived long

155

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

enough to know his fleet successful. In a public
point of view, I consider his loss as the greatest
which could have occurred ; nor do I hesitate to
say there is not an Admiral on the list so eminently-
calculated for the command of a fleet as he was.
I never heard of his equal, nor do I expect again
to see such a man. To the soundest judgment
he united prompt decision and speedy execution
of his plans ; and he possessed in a superior
degree the happy talent of making every class of
persons pleased with their situation and eager to
exert themselves in forwarding the public service.
As a national benefit I cannot but rejoice that our
arms have been once again successful, but at the
same time I cannot help feeling how very unfor-
tunate we have been to be away at such a moment,
and, by a fatal combination of unfortunate though
unavoidable events, to lose all share in the glory
of a day which surpasses all which ever went
before, is what I cannot think of with any degree
of patience ; but, as I cannot write upon that
subject without complaining, I will drop it for the
present, till time and reflection reconcile me a
little more to what I know is now inevitable.

**We arrived off the Rock of Gibraltar two
days ago, and having heard of the action as well
as that our fleet was in want of assistance to repair
their damages and secure their prizes, we pro-
ceeded on with a fine, fresh wind at east to run

156

CAPTAIN F. W. AUSTEN

" A Melancholy Situation "

through the Straits ; but before we were out of
sight of the garrison the wind chopped round to
the westward, directly in our teeth, and came on
to blow a very heavy gale of wind, which effec-
tually prevented our proceeding. We bore away
for this place and wait a change of wind and
weather, not a little anxious for our friends out-
side, who could have been but ill prepared to
encounter such a severe storm as they must have
experienced on a lee shore, and probably with
crippled masts. Indeed, I hardly expect to hear
they have all escaped.

"Off Cadiz, October 31. — Having at length
effected our escape from the Mediterranean prison
and rejoined our friends, I will proceed to such
particulars as have come to my ears relative to
the action, and present situation of our ships.
The object of the enemy was avowedly to get
into the Mediterranean, but at the same time they
did not, as their conduct proved, wish to avoid a
battle, expecting, no doubt, their superiority would
have ensured them at least a drawn action, and
that they would have disabled our fleet so much
as to deprive us of the means to prevent their
proceeding to Toulon ; but in this they were for-
tunately mistaken. Indeed, they acknowledge
that they had considered Lord Nelson's whole
force as only twenty-seven, and knowing that he
had detached six into the Mediterranean expected

157

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

to find him with only twenty-one ships, and the
irregular mass in which our ships bore down to the
attack prevented their counting them, so that till
after the action was closed the French Admiral
did not discover how great a force he had en-
countered. The van of our fleet which led the
attack have suffered very much, especially the
Victory, Royal Sovereign, Tdmdraire, Belleisle,
Mars, and Bellerophon ; but some of the rear
vessels hardly got into action at all. Had we
been there our station would have been the fifth
ship from the van, and I trust we should have had
our share.

** The battle was hardly concluded when the
weather set in so stormy (and continued so for
nearly a week) as to prevent our taking possession
of many ships which had surrendered, and of
keeping several others. Nineteen are known to
have struck ; four of which have since got into
Cadiz ; three are in our possession ; and the rest,
to the number of twelve, are either burnt, sunk, or
driven on shore. Of thirteen, which are now in
Cadiz, out of their whole force the greatest part
have lost nearly all their masts, and are so com-
pletely disabled as to make it impossible they can
be again ready for service during the winter. On
the whole, therefore, we may fairly consider their
loss as equal to twenty sail of the line.

** Our ships have been so much dispersed since

158

^^ A Melancholy Situation"

the action, by the blowing weather, that Admiral
Collingwood has not yet been able to collect re-
ports of their damages or loss ; but he has strong
reason to hope every ship has been able to keep
off the shore, and are now in safety. The action
appears in general to have been obstinately con-
tested, and has doubtless been unusually bloody ;
but it has also been so decisive as to make it im-
probable the Spaniards or French will again risque
a meeting with a British fleet. Had it taken place
in the open sea, away from the rocks, shoals, and
leeshores there is no doubt but every ship would
have been taken, but we engaged them under
every disadvantage of situation.

'' I was on board the Euryalus yesterday, in
which ship Admiral Collingwood has his flag at
present, and was introduced to the French
Admiral Villeneuve, who is a prisoner there. He
appears to be about forty-five years of age, of
dark complexion, with rather an unmeaning coun-
tenance, and has not much the appearance of a
gentleman. He is, however, so much of a
Frenchman as to bear his misfortunes with
cheerfulness.

** I do not yet know in what way we are to be
employed, but imagine that, as the Canopus is a
perfect ship at present, we shall be left with such
others as are fit to remain at sea, to watch the
enemy in the port ; while those ships which have

159

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

been damaged will go to Gibraltar to refit. Many
of them will, I daresay, be sent home, as well
because proper masts cannot be procured for
them here, as that it will now be unnecessary to
keep so large a fleet on this station.

" By the death of Lord Nelson I have again
lost all chance of a frigate. I had asked his lord-
ship to appoint me to one when he had the
opportunity, and, though I had no positive pro-
mise from him, I have reason to believe he would
have attended to my wishes. Of Admiral Colling-
wood I do not know enough to allow of my making
a similar request ; and not having been in the
action I have no claims of service to urge in sup-
port of my wishes. I must, therefore, remain in
the CanopuSy though on many accounts I am
more than ever anxious to get into a frigate.

** November 4. — We have just rejoined the fleet
after having been detached to examine the coast
and assist distressed ships, and hear the Euryalus
is to sail very shortly for England with the
Admiral's despatches, containing, I presume, the
details of the action, with the particular loss of
each ship, all of which you will learn from the
public papers more correctly than I can possibly
relate them, for, indeed, I have as yet learnt
scarce anything more than I have already given
you.

** I am anxiously expecting letters from England,

160

" A Melancholy Situation *'

and as our last news from Lisbon mentioned four
packets being due I hope soon to hear of their
arrival, and to be again blessed with the sight
of a well-known handwriting, which is always a
cordial to my heart, and never surely did I stand
more in need of some such support. I yesterday
received a letter from Henry, dated the ist of
October, which was brought out by Captain
Mac Kay of the Scout, who is an acquaintance of
mine, and an intimate friend of my brother
Charles. The Scoiit came away on too short a
notice to admit of Henry's writing to you or he
would have done it. He sends me pleasing
accounts of all my family, which is, of course,
gratifying to me.

** I must now, my dearest love, bid you farewell,
having said all I had got to say. Make my
kindest remembrances to all your family at Rams-
gate and elsewhere."

Miss Gibson must, indeed, have been hard-
hearted if she did not acquit her lover of neglect
on receiving such a letter as this while he was on
active service. It is written, as was usual, on one
large sheet of notepaper, the ** envelope," that is the
fourth page, full, except where the folds come out-
side, and the whole crossed in the fine, neat hand-
writing of the day, very like that of Jane Austen
herself.

l6l L

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

The scene in Cadiz Bay, after the action of
Trafalgar, can be imagined from the few facts
given in the log of the Canopus on her arrival
from Tetuan.

''October 30, at 11, saw a French ship of the
line dismasted at the entrance of the harbour.
On standing in to reconnoitre the position of the
enemy's ship it was judged impossible to bring
her out with the wind as it was, and that it was
not worth the risque of disabling one of the
squadron in an attempt to destroy her. She
appeared to be warping fast in, and to have a
great length of hawser laid out. The batteries
fired several shells over us.

** 31^/. — Passed the Juno and a Spanish 74 at
anchor. The Spanish vessel, San Ildefonso, had
lost all her masts, but was then getting up jury
masts.

** At a quarter past four, closed the Euryalus,
having Vice-Admiral Collingwood's flag, shortened
sail and hove to. The Admiral (also the Captain)
went on board the Euryalus. Several ships at
anchor around us.

** A French frigate and brig, with flags of truce,
in the squadron.

** At four we had passed the Ajax^ Leviathan,
and Orion at anchor, all of them, to appearance,
but little damaged in the action. The Leviathan
was fishing her main yard, and the Ajax shifting

162

^' A Melancholy Situation "

her fore-top mast. A large ship, supposed to be
the Temh-aire, was at anchor to the northward of
San Luca, with fore and mizen-top masts gone ;
and eight others were seen from the masthead to
the W.N.W.

^'November i. — Saw the wreck of a ship lying
on the Marragotes shoal.

'''November 19. — Saw the Tdmiraire, Royal
Sovereign, Tonnant, Leviathan, and Mars. These
five ships are returning here under jury masts,
having suffered considerably in the action of the
2 1st ult.

" The Sovereign was in tow of the Leviathan,
which seemed to be the most perfect ship of the
whole."

The Canopus, as Francis Austen foresaw, was
left at Cadiz with those ships which had suffered
but slightly, as well as those which had shared
their own hard fate of being out of the action
altogether. Here they stayed till the end of the
month, awaiting further developments.

163

CHAPTER XI

ST. DOMINGO

Francis Austen in the letter to Miss Gibson
expresses two wishes, neither of which was to be
fulfilled.

He never got into a frigate, as he himself
foresaw.

Service in a frigate would have been more
exciting, as well as more profitable, than in a ship
of the line. The frigates got the intelligence, and
secured most prizes.

His other wish, that his letters might seek him
in vain in the West Indies, was also not to be
gratified, for before two months were over he was
again on the passage thither, though whether he
had the consolation of meeting his letters is another
matter. As this voyage culminated in the action
of St. Domingo, and the capture of several valu-
able prizes, the need for ** comfort and support"
was certainly not so great as after the disappoint-
ment of missing Trafalgar. How great that dis-
appointment was his letter testifies. And some-

164

St. Domingo

thing must be added to, rather than taken away
from, this, In allowing for his natural reserve.
From a man of his temperament every word
means more than if Charles had been the writer.
The fact that the log of the Canopus, on the day
when the news of Trafalgar was received, is
headed "Off Gibraltar, a melancholy situation,"
is the only Indication to be found there of the state
of feeling on board. Otherwise, there is nothing
but rejoicing in the greatness and completeness of
the victory, and sorrow at the death of the Com-
mander-in-Chief.

The account of this second cruise begins with
the arrival of Sir John Duckworth.

''November 15. Superb (Vice-Admiral Sir John
Duckworth) ^xi^Powerful]o\\^^^i company off Cape
St. Mary (Portugal).

** Order of sailing :

WEATHER LINE.

LEE LINE.

Superb.

Canopus,

Spencer,

Donegal.

Agamemnon.

Powerful.

'' November 2C). — Saw a man-of-war in theE.N.E.
standing towards us ; perceived the stranger had
the signal flying to speak with the Admiral, and
for having Intelligence to communicate. The Aga-
memnon showed her number, and made telegraph
signal * Information of the enemy's squadron. Six
sail of the line off Madeira.'

165

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

" Let off rockets to draw the attention of the
squadron in the W.N.W.

" Sir Edward Berry came on board, and stated
that at eight yesterday evening, Captain Langford
of the Lark informed him that on the 20th of this
month he fell in with a French squadron of six
ships of the line, three frigates and two brigs, in
Lat. 30 N., Long. 19 W., which chased his convoy
to the S.S.E. He escaped by altering his course
in the night. Two days after he fell in with the
West India outward-bound convoy, and was
directed by Captain Lake of the Topaz to proceed
with the intelligence to the senior officer off
Cadiz."

This news was confirmed on December i, and
by the 5th the whole squadron had reached
Madeira, only to find, as usual, that the enemy
had gone somewhere else. They went on to the
Canary Islands, still cruising in search of the
French. The entries on December 24 and 25 tell
of the meeting with and chase of another squadron,
not that which was afterwards engaged at St.
Domingo.

'^December 24, Arethusa and convoy met the
enemy's squadron which we were in search of on
December 16 in Lat. 40, Long. 13. The convoy
dispersed, and it is hoped that none were taken.
By the last accounts from the Continent, the
French had suffered an important check, in which

166

St. Domingo

8026 were taken beside those killed." This was,
of course, an entirely unfounded report, as no
severe check had occurred to Napoleon s arms, in
fact the great victory of Austerlitz was just won.

** December 25, half-past six a.m., saw seven sail
in the S.W. ; tacked ship and made all sail.
Answered signal for a general chace. Perceived
the strangers to be vessels of war, and not Eng-
lish. At eight, answered signal to prepare for
battle, at nine tacked, at ten cleared the ship for
action. Light baffling airs. The strange squadron
standing to the southward under all sail ; Superb,
Spencer, and Agamemnon south, six or seven miles;
Powerful, N.W., three miles; Donegal diwd Ame-
thyst, S.S.W., four or five miles ; Acasta, E. by S.,
one mile.

''At sunset the chace just in sight ahead from
the top-gallant yard. Our advanced ships S.E.
five or six leagues. At six lost sight of all the
squadron but the Donegal and Powerful.

*' When the strange sails were first seen, they
appeared to be steering to the S.W., and to be a
good deal scattered, the nearest being about ten
miles from us, and some barely in sight from the
deck. They all were seen to make a multiplicity
of signals, and it was soon discovered, from their
sails, signals, and general appearance, that they
were French.

''Their force was five ships of the line and two

167

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

frigates. At eight o'clock the weathermost bore
down as if to form a line of battle, and, shortly after
that, made all sail on the larboard tack. Owing
to the baffling and varying winds, and the enemy
catching every puff first, we had the mortification
of seeing them increase their distance every
moment."

It is clear that the escape of this squadron was
largely due to the slow sailing of some of these
ships. The Canopus herself did not sail well in
light winds, having been more than two years in
commission without docking, and the Powerful, a
few days afterwards, sprung her foreyard, and had
to be detached from the squadron. At the end of
the chase, the distance between the leading ship,
Superb, and the Donegal, the last of the squadron,
is estimated in James' Naval History at forty-five
miles.

The squadron then made sail for Barbadoes in
order to revictual, and, after coming in for a heavy
gale, arrived there on January 12. On the nth,
news was received by a vessel from England,
which had been spoken, that Denmark had joined
the coalition against France.

It is perhaps noteworthy that the highest records
in any of these logs are those during the gale on
January 8, 9, and 10, when the Canopus attained
ten knots per hour, and made six hundred and
sixty-one miles in three days.

168

St. Domingo

Rear-Admiral Cochrane joined the squadron
with the Northumberland, and acted as second in
command to Sir John Duckworth. He had held
the same post under Nelson in June 1805, ^^^
the few days when the fleet was in West Indian
waters.

From Barbadoes they went on to St. Chris-
topher. It is an instance of the difficulties of war-
fare in the then state of the Navy, that thirteen
men took the opportunity of the Canopus being
anchored close inshore to desert from her, by
swimming ashore in the night. No doubt similar
trouble was felt on other ships of the squadron.

" On February i , Kingfisher brought intelli-
gence that a Danish schooner belonging to Santa
Cruz had, on January 25, seen a squadron of French
men-of-war, seven of the line and four frigates, in
the Mona passage. The master was on board the
Alexandre, a 74, and the Brave, a three-decker,
where he was informed they were part of a
squadron of ten of the line, and ten frigates and
one brig, which had sailed from Brest forty days
before, and had separated in crossing the Atlantic.

''February 2. At four the Superb made signal
for the flag-officers of the squadron."

On February 3 this intelligence of the arrival
of the enemy at St. Domingo was confirmed, and
great must have been the joy thereat.

On February 6 took place the battle of St.

169

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

Domingo. The log gives an account which is
bare of all detail, except that which is entirely
nautical.

"At daylight the frigates ahead six or seven
miles.

^'Extent of land N.E. by E., and N.W. by W. ;
nearest part three or four leagues. Acasta made
signal for one sail W.N.W. at a quarter past six,
* That the strange sail had been observed to fire
guns.'

" Half-past six, * For eight sail W.N.W.'

** A quarter before seven, * Enemy's ships of war
are at anchor.'

** Ten minutes to seven, * Enemy's ships are
getting under way."

** Five minutes before seven, 'Enemy's ships are
of the line.'

** At seven, saw eight sail under the land, stand-
ing to the westward, under press of sail. Answered
signal, * Prepare for battle.'

** At eight, signal, * Engage as coming up with
the enemy, and take stations for mutual support.'

" Five minutes past eight, ' Make all sail pos-
sible, preserving the same order.' Perceived the
enemy's force to consist of one three-decker, four
two-deckers, two frigates, and a corvette.

"At a quarter past ten, the Superb commenced
to fire on the enemy's van. At twenty past ten,
the Northumberland and Spencer began firing.

170

St. Domingo

At half-past, we opened our fire on the first ship
in the enemy's line, at that time engaged by the
Spencer, passing close across her bows, with one
broadside brought her masts by the board. Stood
on towards the three-decker, firing occasionally
at her and two other of the enemy's ships, as we
could get our guns to bear. All the squadron in
action.

*' At a quarter to eleven, the Atlas ran on board
of us, and carried away our bowsprit, but got clear
without doing us material damage.

** At ten minutes to eleven, the dismasted ship
struck, as did shortly after two others. Engaged
with the three-decker, which appeared to be push-
ing for the shore. At ten minutes to twelve, gave
her a raking broadside, which brought down her
mizen mast, and appeared to do great damage to
her stern and quarter.

** At twelve o'clock she ran ashore. Wore ship
and fired our larboard broadside at the remaining
two-decker, which was also making for the shore.
At ten past twelve, discontinued the action."

A rather more stirring account of the action is
given in a private letter from an officer on board
the Superb,

This letter also contains the story of the chase
of the former squadron on Christmas Day.

*' After leaving Lord Collingwood we fell in
with a French squadron on December 25, off the

171

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

Canaries, which we now know was commanded by-
Jerome Bonaparte.

'* You cannot conceive the joy expressed by
every one on board. Every individual thought
himself a king, and expected that day to be one of
the happiest Christmases he had ever spent. But
from the very bad sailing of several ships of the
fleet, Jerome had the good luck to escape, and the
joy of the squadron was turned into melancholy,
which had not altogether worn off until we found
the squadron at St. Domingo (quite a different one).
I can give you very little idea of the exultation ex-
pressed by every countenance when we were
certain of bringing them to action. The scene was
truly grand, particularly when you consider the
feelings on board the two squadrons, the one
making every exertion to get away, and deter-
mined to run the gauntlet in order to escape, and
the other straining every nerve to prevent their
flight. They were at this time going before the
wind, and we were endeavouring to cross them, in
order to prevent the possibility of their escape,
which fortunately, from the superior sailing of the
Superb, we were able to effect.

" The enemy brought their two largest ships to-
gether (/'^/^^(^;e^r^, the headmost, 2i,ndr Impiriale)
seemingly with a view to quiet the fire of the
English Admiral in the Superb, before any of the
other ships could come up ; but in this they were

172

St. Domingo

disappointed, for the second broadside from the
Superb fortunately did such execution on board
the enemy's headmost ship, r Alexandre, that she
became quite unmanageable and lost her station.
The three-decker was by this time within pistol-
shot of the Superb, and apparently reserving her
fire for us ; but at this critical moment Admiral
Cochrane in the Northumberland came up, and
notwithstanding the small distance between the
Superb and rimpdriale, he gallantly placed her be-
tween us, and received the whole broadside of the
largest, and esteemed the finest, ship in the French
navy. Several of the shot passed quite through the
JNorthumberland into the Superb. The action then
became general, and, as you must be already in-
formed, terminated most honourably for the
British Navy ; for although the enemy was a little
inferior, yet, according to the most accurate calcu-
lation, they were entirely annihilated in the short
space of one hour."

According to the log of the Canopus, the time
seems to have been nearer two hours than one,
but something must be allowed for the enthusiasm
of the young officer who writes this letter, and his
pride in the very ** superior sailing" and other
perfections of the Superb.

Jerome Bonaparte was not in command of the
whole squadron sighted on Christmas Day, but
was captain of one of the ships, the Veteran. He

173

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

soon became tired of the sea, however, finding the
throne of WestphaHa more congenial to his tastes.
The exact comparison between the enemy's force
and that of our own is given in the log.

ENGLISH LINE.

GUNS.

MEN.

FRENCH LINE.

GUNS.

MEN.

Superb

• 74

590

Le Diomede .

. 80

900

Northumberland

. 74

590

Ulmperiale .

. 120

1300

Spencer

• 74

590

VA lexandre .

. 80

1080

Agamemnon

. 64

490

Le Jupitre

• 74

700

Canopus .

. 80

700

Le Brave

. 74

700

Donegal

. 74

590

Atlas

. 74

590

Frigates, &c.

Acasta

. 40

320

La Comette .

. 40

350

Magicienne

. 36

250

La Felicite .

. 40

350

Kingfisher .

. 36

250

La Diligente .

. 24

200

Epervier .

. 16

The following letter was written by Captain
Austen to Mary Gibson on the day after the action :

" Canopus, off St. Domingo, February 7, 1806.

**My dearest Mary, — The news of an action with
an enemy's squadron flies like wildfire in England,
and I have no doubt but you will have heard of
the one we had yesterday soon after the vessel
which goes home shall arrive. It will, therefore, I
am sure, be a source of satisfaction to you and my
other friends at Ramsgate to have proof under my
own hand of my having escaped unhurt from the
conflict. We had intelligence while laying at St.

174

B^^Siu.

St. Domingo

Kitts, on the 2nd instant, that a French squadron
had arrived at St. Domingo, and immediately
quitted that place in pursuit. Happily yesterday
morning at daylight we got sight of them at
anchor off the town of St. Domingo, consisting of
one ship of 120 guns, two of 80, two of 74, and
three frigates. Soon as we appeared in view, they
got under sail, not to meet, but to avoid us. We
had one 80-gun ship, five of 74, and one of
64, besides two frigates and four corvettes. Our
situation was such as to prevent their escape. The
action commenced at half-past ten, and was finally
over by half-past twelve, when three of the enemy's
ships were in our possession, and the other two
dismasted and on the rocks. The frigates escaped.
Had we been two miles farther off the land we
should have got the whole. We must, however,
be truly thankful for the mercies which have been
showed us in effecting such a victory with a com-
paratively inconsiderable loss. The Admiral is
sending the prizes, and such of our own ships as
have suffered most, to Jamaica, where, I suppose,
we shall follow as soon as we have ascertained that
the two ships on shore are in such a state as to
prevent their getting ofF again. I am in hopes
this action will be the means of our speedy quitting
this country, and perhaps to return to Old England.
Oh, how my heart throbs at the idea! The Canopus
sails so bad that we were nearly the last ship in

175

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

action ; when we did get up, however, w^e had our
share of it. Our people behaved admirably well,
and displayed astonishing coolness during the
whole time.

*' The first broadside we gave brought our oppo-
nent's three masts down at once, and towards the
close of the business we also had the satisfaction
of giving the three-decker a tickling which
knocked all his sticks away. We were so inter-
mingled with the enemy that it was impossible to
confine our attack to one, and though no one vessel
struck to us in particular, I am sure we had a share
in each. The Admiral is sending off his des-
patches, and I have only a few minutes which I
have been able to steal from my duty on deck to
write these few hurried lines. They will, I trust,
be equal to a volume. . . .

** P.S. — We have not suffered much in masts and
rigging, and I fancy not an officer is killed in the
whole squadron."

The work of repairs had immediately to be con-
sidered after the action was over, and no doubt the
**duty on deck" was very exacting when Francis
Austen managed to snatch time to scrawl this
letter for the relief of anxious ones at home.

The end of the two ships which ran on shore is
given in the log.

''February 9, at eight. Saw the two ships which
176

St. Domingo

ran on shore during the action of the 6th, appear-
ing to be full of water and quite wrecks.

"Observed the frigates to fire several guns at
them. At 9 shortened sail and hove to. The
Epervier stood towards the wrecks with a flag of
truce. Epervier made telegraph signal : * There
are about twenty men on board the three-decker,
and sixty on board the two-decker. Boats can
approach ; take them off, and fire the hulls if
ordered.'

'' Admiral made telegraph signal : * Send two
boats to the Acasta to assist in bringing off pri-
soners.' At a quarter past four, observed the
wrecks to be on fire."

Soon after they were all on the passage towards
Jamaica.

On February 1 2, an amusing incident is logged.
Amusing it is in our eyes, though perfectly seriously
recorded.

'*i2. Acasta made telegraph signals: An
American ship four days from Trinidad. The
master reports that he saw there an English gazette,
containing particulars of great successes gained by
the allied powers on the Continent over the French,
who are stated to have been everywhere beaten,
their armies destroyed, and Bonaparte flying or
killed. This had been brought to Trinidad by the
mail boat from Barbadoes, and the garrison fired
a night salute on the joyful occasion."

177 M

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

This was, of course, quite at variance with facts.

The voyage home from Jamaica was uneventful,
except for the constant trouble given by H Alex-
andre, which had evidently been badly damaged in
the action, and had at last to be taken in tow. It
was a happier home-coming for Captain Austen
than he had looked forward to soon after Trafalgar.
To return after a successful action with three
prizes in company was a better fate than had then
seemed possible.

They arrived on April 29, when the record
stands :

'* Saw the lighthouse of St. Agnes bearing
N.N.E. by E., distant six or seven leagues ; made
signal for seeing land," with what feelings it is
easier to imagine than to describe. Such a de-
scription has been attempted over and over again,
with varying degrees of success. Jane Austen
tells of a sailor's leave-taking and return only once,
and then, as is her way, by the simple narration of
details. Anne Elliot and Captain Harville are
having the time-honoured argument as to the rela-
tive strength of the feelings of men and women,
and to illustrate his point Captain Harville says :
*' If I could but make you comprehend what a man
suffers when he takes a last look at his wife and
children, and watches the boat he has sent them
off in, as long as it is in sight, and then turns away
and says, * God knows whether we ever meet

178

St. Domingo

again.' And then if I could convey to you the
glow of his soul when he does see them again ;
when coming back after a twelvemonths' absence,
perhaps, he calculates how soon it be possible to
get them there, pretending to deceive himself, and
saying, * They cannot be here till such a day,' but
all the while hoping for them twelve hours sooner,
and seeing them arrive at last, as if heaven had
given them wings, by many hours sooner still. If
I could explain to you all this, and all that a man
can bear and do, and glories to do for the sake of
these treasures of his existence. . ."

Jane Austen must, indeed, have known some-
thing of the feelings of ** such men as have hearts,"
and the troubles and joys of the seafaring life.

Several of the West Indian Governments and
Trading Associations voted addresses, as well as
more substantial recognition, to the Admirals and
officers engaged at St. Domingo, who also received
the thanks of Parliament on their return to
England.

CHAPTER XII

THE CAPE AND ST. HELENA

During the cruises of the Canopus, we have only
one letter from Jane Austen with any mention of
Frank, and that is before his disappointment of
Trafalgar, or his success at St. Domingo. The
full quotation serves to show some of the difficulties
of correspondence. She writes to Cassandra : '* I
have been used very ill this morning. I have
received a letter from Frank which I ought to have
had when Elizabeth and Henry had theirs, and
which in its way from Albany to Godmersham has
been to Dover and Steventon. It was finished
on the 1 6th, and tells what theirs told before as
to his present situation ; he is in a great hurry to
be married, and I have encouraged him in it, in
the letter which ought to have been an answer to
his. He must think it very strange that I do not
acknowledge the receipt of his, when I speak of
those of the same date to Eliz and Henry, and
to add to my injuries, I forgot to number mine on
the outside." This plan of numbering was a

t8o

The Cape and St. Helena

certain safeguard against misunderstandings, as it
made it easy to find out if a letter had been lost.
The '' present situation " was that off Ushant,
after the chase of Villeneuve across the Atlantic,
and before the orders to return southward had
been received.

In July 1806, Francis was married to Mary
Gibson, known hereafter by her sisters-in-law as
*' Mrs. F. A." to distinguish her from the other
Mary, '' Mrs. J. A."

Among the many social functions subjected to
Jane Austen's criticism, it is not likely that the
absurdities of a fashionable marriage would escape
her attention. The subject is treated with more
than ordinary severity in '* Mansfield Park " — *' It
was a very proper wedding. The bride was
elegantly dressed, the two bridesmaids were duly
inferior, her father gave her away, her mother
stood with salts in her hand, expecting to be
agitated, her aunt tried to cry, and the service
was impressively read by Dr. Grant. Nothing
could be objected to, when it came under the
discussion of the neighbourhood, except that the
carriage which conveyed the bride and bride-
groom and Julia from the Church door to Sother-
ton was the same chaise which Mr. Rushworth
had used for a twelvemonth before. In every
thing else the etiquette of the day might stand the
strictest investigation."

181

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

Such was Jane Austen's comment on the
worldly marriage. Her estimate of her own
brother's wedding may be better gathered from
the account of that of Mr. Knightly and Emma.

** The wedding was very much like other
weddings, where the parties have no taste for
finery and parade ; and Mrs. Elton, from the
particulars detailed by her husband, thought it
all extremely shabby, and very inferior to her
own, * very little white satin, very few lace veils ;
a most pitiful business. Selina would stare when
she heard of it.' But, in spite of these defi-
ciencies, the wishes, the hopes, the confidence, the
predictions of the small band of true friends
who witnessed the ceremony were fully answered
in the perfect happiness of the union."

From the time of his marriage till the fol-
lowing April, Francis was free to spend his time
with his wife at Southampton, where they were
settling not far from the house where his mother
and sisters now lived.

This time was evidently a very pleasant one
for Jane. She makes several mentions of Frank
and his wife and their common pursuits in her
letters to Cassandra.

** We did not take our walk on Friday, it was
too dirty, nor have we yet done it ; we may
perhaps do something like it to-day, as after seeing
Frank skate, which he hopes to do in the

182

The Cape and St. Helena

meadows by the beach, we are to treat ourselves
with a passage over the ferry. It is one of the
pleasantest frosts I ever knew, so very quiet. I
hope it will last some time longer for Frank's
sake, who is quite anxious to get some skating ;
he tried yesterday, but it would not do.

** Our acquaintance increase too fast. He was
recognised lately by Admiral Bertie, and a few
days since arrived the Admiral and his daughter
Catherine to wait upon us. There was nothing to
like or dislike in either. To the Berties are to be
added the Lances, with whose cards we have been
endowed, and whose visit Frank and I returned
yesterday. They live about a mile and three-
quarters from S., to the right of the new road to
Portsmouth, and I believe their house is one of
those which are to be seen from almost anywhere
among the woods on the other side of the Itchen.
It is a handsome building, stands high, and in a
very beautiful situation."

The next letter is an answer to one from
Cassandra delaying her return, evidently a matter
of regret to the whole household.

" Frank and Mary cannot at all approve of your
not being at home in time to help them in their
finishing purchases, and desire me to say that,
if you are not, they will be as spiteful as pos-
sible, and choose everything in the style most
likely to vex you — knives that will not cut,

183

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

glasses that will not hold, a sofa without a seat,
and bookcase without shelves. But I must tell
you a story. Mary had for some time had
notice from Mrs. Dickson of the intended arrival
of a certain Miss Fowler in this place. Miss F.
is an intimate friend of Mrs. D., and a good
deal known as such to Mary. On Thursday last
she called here while we were out. Mary found,
on our return, her card with only her name on it,
and she had left word that she would call again.
The particularity of this made us talk, and, among
other conjectures, Frank said in joke, ' I dare say
she is staying with the Pearsons.' The connec-
tion of the names struck Mary, and she im-
mediately recollected Miss Fowler's having been
very intimate with persons so called, and, upon
putting everything together, we have scarcely a
doubt of her actually being staying with the only
family in the place whom we cannot visit.

" What a contretemps ! — in the language ot
France. What an unluckiness! — in that of
Madame Duval. The black gentleman has cer-
tainly employed one of his menial imps to bring
about this complete, though trifling mischief.
Miss Fowler has never called again, but we are In
daily expectation of it. Miss P. has, of course,
given her a proper understanding of the business.
It is evident that Miss F. did not expect or wish
to have the visit returned, and Francis is quite as

184

CASSANDRA AUSTEN

The Cape and St. Helena

much on his guard for his wife as we could desire
for her sake or our own."

What the mysterious disagreement with the
Pearson family may have been it is impossible to
tell. That it caused more amusement than heart-
burn is clear, but Jane was always an adept, as
she says herself, at constructing '' sl smartish letter,
considering the want of materials."

The next we hear of Frank (beyond the fact
that he has '' got a very bad cold, for an Austen ;
but it does not disable him from making very nice
fringe for the drawing-room curtains ") is on the
question of his further employment. He was very
anxious indeed to get into a frigate, but feared
that the death of Lord Nelson, who knew of his
desire, would seriously damage his chances of
getting what he wanted. Jane writes : '* Frank's
going into Kent depends of course upon his
being unemployed ; but as the First Lord, after
promising Lord Moira that Captain A. should
have the first good frigate that was vacant, has
since given away two or three fine ones, he has no
particular reason to expect an appointment now.
He, however, has scarcely spoken about the
Kentish journey. I have my information chiefly
from her, and she considers her own going thither
as more certain if he should be at sea than if not."
This was in February 1807. Mrs. Frank Austen
was very soon to feel the loneliness of a sailor's

185

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

wife. In April 1807, Captain Austen took
command of the SL Albans^ then moored in Sheer-
ness Harbour.

Naval matters, though much better than they
had been, were by no means in order yet, and
great was the difficulty experienced in getting
the ship properly equipped. Letter after letter
was written by the Captain to "■ the principal
Officers and Commissioners of His Majesty's
Navy " before the ship could be got ready for
sea, properly supplied with stores and men. It
was not until late in June that they at last got
away on convoying duty to the Cape of Good
Hope.

The account of Simon's Bay in the notebook
of Francis Austen is interesting, when com-
pared with the state of things now existing at
the Cape. After sundry very instructive but
entirely nautical directions for sailing in and out,
and anchoring, he goes on to make a few remarks
respectively on wooding and watering, fortifications
and landing-places, trade and shipping and inha-
bitants, from each of which we give extracts.

*'Wood is not to be had here, except by
purchase, and is extravagantly dear ; nor is there
any sort of fuel to be procured.

** Water is plentiful and of an excellent quality ;
a stream is brought by pipes to the extremity
of the wharf, where two boats may fill with

186

The Cape and St. Helena

hoses at the same time, but as the run of water
which supplies it is frequently diverted to other
purposes by the inhabitants, it is rather a tedious
mode of watering, and better calculated for keeping
up the daily consumption after being once com-
pleted, than for supplying the wants of a squadron
or ship arriving from a voyage.

" The method generally used by the men-of-war
is to land their casks on the sandy beach on the
N. W. part of the bay, a little to the Westward of
the North battery, where there are two or three
considerable runs of water down the sides of the
mountains, and make wells or dipping-places by
sinking half-casks in the sand. In this way, many
ships fill their water at the same time without at
all interfering with or retarding each other's pro-
gress. The casks so filled must be rafted off, as
there is generally too much surf to get them into
the boats, and when the South-easters set in
strong it is impracticable to get them off at all.
The casks may however remain on shore without
injury, and being ready filled may be got off when
the weather suits. Both watering-places are com-
pletely commanded by the batteries as well as by
the ships at anchorage.

''The anchorage is protected and commanded
by two batteries and a round tower. One on the
South-east point of the bay, called the Block-
house, on which are three twenty-four-pounders,

187

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

and a ten-inch mortar. It is elevated about thirty
feet above the level of the sea, and commands the
whole of the bay, as well as the passage into the
westward of the Roman Rocks.

** The round tower is close at the back of, and
indeed may be considered as appertaining to the
Block-house. It has one twenty-four-pounder
mounted on a traversing carriage, and .contains
very good barracks for fifty or sixty soldiers. The
other, called the North Battery, is, as its name
bespeaks, on the north side of the bay. It stands
on a small rocky point between two sandy bays, on
an elevation of twenty or twenty-five feet above
the level of the sea, and is mounted with three
long eighteen-pounders and two ten-inch mortars.
Neither of these works could make much resistance
if regularly attacked by sea or land, and are all
completely commanded by higher ground in their
rear within half cannon-shot. There is besides
these another battery called Tucker's, about halt
a mile to the southward of the Block-house, but
not in sight from the anchorage ; on it are three
eighteen-pounders. It was constructed in con-
sequence of a French frigate running into the bay
(not knowing it to be in the possession of the
English) and getting aground somewhere near
that spot. It is however so placed as to be of no
use as a defence to the bay, for a ship, or
squadron, coming in with hostile intentions need

i88

The Cape and St. Helena

not, except from choice, pass within reach of its
guns, and as a miHtary post it is confessedly
untenable, being completely commanded by
higher ground behind it.

** The only regular landing-place is at the wharf
which runs out about fifty yards into the sea,
and is very convenient, having always sufficient
water to allow of the largest boats when loaded
to lie alongside it without taking the ground. In
moderate weather, boats may, if required to do
so, land in almost any part of the bay, and it
is, except where the rocks show themselves, a
beach of very fine sand. There is very little
trade here, it having been chiefly used whilst in
the possession of the Dutch as a kind of half-way
house for their ships on their passage both to and
from India and China.

**The produce of those countries may however
be generally procured, and on reasonable terms, as
duties on importation are so moderate that the
officers of the East India ships frequently find it
worth their while to dispose of their private
investments here, rather than carry them to
England. There has been a whale fishery lately
established by a few individuals in a bay about
four miles to the north-east, called Calp's or Calk's
Bay, which appears to be doing very well, but I
imagine could not be very much extended. There
is no ship or vessel whatever belonging to the

189

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

place, and only a few small boats used for the
purposes of fishing.

** The arsenal or naval yard is a compact row of
storehouses under one roof, and enclosed with a
wall and gates, well situated for its purpose,
fronting a sandy beach and adjoining the wharf.
It contains all the necessary buildings and accom-
modations as a depot of naval and victualling
stores on a small scale, adequate however to the
probable wants of any squadron which is ever
likely to be stationed there.

**The inhabitantsare a mongrel breed, a mixture
of many nations, but principally descended from
the first Dutch settlers whose language (probably
a good deal corrupted both in ideas and pro-
nunciation) is in general use. The Government
is now English, but the civil, as well as the
criminal jurisprudence is regulated by the colonial
laws, as originally established by the Dutch East
India Company, somewhat modified and ameli-
orated by the milder influence of English law.
The prevailing religion is Calvinistic, but there
are many Lutherans, and some of various sects."

The contrast between the Cape in 1807 and the
Cape in 1905 is so strong that it needs no em-
phasising.

After calling at Ascension Island and St.
Helena, the 5/. Albaiis returned to England.
The progress of contemporary history may be

190

The Cape and St. Helena

noted by the news which they received on their
way back, which was duly logged :

** By this ship informed of capture of Copen-
hagen and the cession of the Danish fleet to the
English forces under Lord Cathcart and Admiral
Gambier.'' By January i they were back at
Spithead, where they remained till the beginning
of February, sailing thence, as was so often the
custom, under sealed orders. On opening the
sealed packet Captain Austen found that he was
directed to accompany the convoy to St. Helena.

The following account of the island is interest-
ing when it is remembered that at that time it
was an unimportant spot, not yet associated with
memories of Napoleon. The note opens with a
colossal sentence !

** This island being in the hands of the English
East India Company, and used by it merely as a
rendezvous for its homeward-bound fleets, where
during time of war they are usually met at stated
periods by some King's ship appointed to take
them to England, has no trade but such as arises
from the sale of those few articles of produce, con-
sisting chiefly in poultry, fruit, and vegetables,
which are beyond the consumption of its inhabit-
ants, and a petty traffic carried on by a few shop-
keepers, who purchase such articles of India and
China goods, as individuals in the Company's
ships may have to dispose of, which they retail

191

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

to the inhabitants and casual visitors at the
island.

**The inhabitants are chiefly English, or of
English descent, although there is a considerable
number of negroes on the island, which with very-
few exceptions are the property of individuals or
of the Company, slavery being tolerated here.
It does not however appear that the slaves are or
can be treated with that harshness and despotism
which has been so justly attributed to the conduct
of the land-holders or their managers in the West
India Islands, the laws of the Colony not giving
any other power to the master than a right to the
labour of his slave. He must, to enforce that
right, in case a slave prove refractory, apply to
the civil power, he having no right to inflict
chastisement at his own discretion. This is a
wholesome regulation as far as it goes, but slavery
however it may be modified is still slavery, and it
is much to be regretted that any trace of it should
be found to exist in countries dependent on
England, or colonised by her subjects. Every
person who is above the rank of a common
soldier is in some shape or other a trader. A
few acres of ground laid out in meadow, or garden
ground, will seldom fail to yield as much produce
in the year as would purchase the fee-simple of an
equal quantity in England, and this from the
extravagant price which the wants of the home-

IQ2

The Cape and St. Helena

ward bound India ships (whose captains and pas-
sengers rolling in wealth, and accustomed to pro-
fusion, must have supplies cost what they may)
enable the islanders to affix to every article they
raise. To such an extent had this cause operated,
that a couple of acres of potatoes, or a garden of
cabbages in a favourable season will provide a
decent fortune for a daughter."

The voyage home was uneventful, retarded by
masses of floating gulf weed, which continued
very thick indeed for over a week.

By the 30th of June the S^. Albans was back
again in the Downs. The little stir consequent
in the family life is indicated in Jane's letters,
written when she was away from home at God-
mersham. **One begins really to expect the
St, Albans now, and I wish she may come before
Henry goes to Cheltenham, it will be so much
more convenient to him. He will be very glad if
Frank can come to him in London, as his own
time is likely to be very precious, but does not
depend on it. I shall not forget Charles next
week." A few days later she writes : "I am
much obliged to you for writing to me on
Thursday, and very glad that I owe the pleasure
of hearing from you again so soon to such an
agreeable cause ; but you will not be surprised,
nor perhaps so angry as I should be, to find that
Frank's history had reached me before in a letter

193 ^

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

from Henry. We are all very happy to hear of
his health and safety, he wants nothing but a
good prize to be a perfect character. This scheme
to the island is an admirable thing for his wife,
she will not feel the delay of his return in such
variety." On the 30th : ** I give you all joy
of Frank's return, which happens in the true
sailor way, just after our being told not to expect
him for some weeks. The wind had been very
much against him, but I suppose he must be in our
neighbourhood now by this time. Fanny is in
hourly expectation of him here. Mary's visit in
the island is probably shortened by this event.
Make our kind love and congratulations to her."
While on these last voyages Captain Austen
made two charts, one of Simon's Bay, and one of
the north-west side of the island of St. Helena,
which are still in use at the Admiralty. An
interesting point in the correspondence of the
Captain of the SL Albans at this time relates to
the conduct of the masters of the various vessels
belonging to the convoy. They are very warmly
commended for their skill and attention, while
some few from the ** cheerfulness and alacrity with
which they repeatedly towed for many succes-
sive days some heavy sailing ships of the convoy,
a service always disagreeable, and often dan-
gerous," are specially recommended to the notice
of the East India Company. No doubt such

194

The Cape and St. Helena

praise from captains of the men-of-war engaged
in convoying, was a useful means of advancement
in the service of the Company, and one which
would be earnestly desired. It is an instance of
the justice and appreciativeness which was a
characteristic of Francis Austen that the master of
the very ship which most retarded the progress of
the convoy comes in for his share of praise,
perhaps even warmer than that given to the more
successful officers. **I cannot conclude without
observing that the indefatigable attention of
Captain Hay o{ xh^ Re treaty in availing himself of
every opportunity to get ahead, and his uncommon
exertions in carrying a great press of sail both
night and day, which the wretched sailing of his
ship, when not in tow, rendered necessary, was
highly meritorious, and I think it my duty to
recommend him to the notice of the Court of
Directors as an officer deserving a better
command."

One incident of interest occurred on the return
voyage, which can perhaps be better dealt with
in another chapter.

195

CHAPTER XIII

STARS AND STRIPES

On June 20, 1808, on the 5/. Albans passage
towards England, there is an entry In the log :
*' Exchanged numbers with the Raven brig. The
brig Is from off Lisbon. The French have taken
possession of Spain. The Spanish Royal Family
are prisoners In France. It Is not certainly known
where the Rochefort squadron Is gone, but sup-
posed Into the Mediterranean."

This was the beginning of the Peninsular War,
in its results disastrous to Napoleon. Napoleon's
calm supposition that he could turn out the King
of Spain and put In Joseph Bonaparte at his own
pleasure, was formed without reference to the
feelings of the people of Spain and Portugal ; and
futile as their objections might have been If un-
supported, their appeal to England was far-reach-
ing in its consequences. Not only was the seat of
war transferred to a country which, with Its long
sea-coast, was favourable to British arms, but the
actual naval gain was very great. Such ships of

196

Stars and Stripes

the French Navy as had escaped from Trafalgar
were still lying in Cadiz, and had now no course
open to them but surrender, while the Spanish and
Portuguese fleets, on which Napoleon counted,
were of course entirely hostile to him.

The feeling in England over this war was very
strong. Added to the hatred of Napoleon, which
would have made almost any of his actions abhor-
rent, there was a real impulse of generous anger
at the oppression shown in pretending to buy the
nation from its wretched King, in order to estab-
lish a purely arbitrary dominion. At the same
time it was a grave question whether Napoleon,
with his many legions, was to be resisted success-
fully.

As yet, however, Napoleon had not entered
Spain, and Junot was in command of the French
army in the West of the Peninsula.

Sir Arthur Wellesley was first appointed to
command the British expedition, but England does
not always know her best men, and almost at once
Sir Harry Burrard was despatched to take over
the work. The battle of Vimiera was the first
serious encounter, and, but for the hesitation of
Burrard to follow up his advantage, might have
been decisive.

Sir Hew Dalrymple next day arrived from
England to supersede Burrard, and after some
vacillation, not unnatural under the circumstances,

197

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

between the policy of Wellesley and that of Burrard,
he prepared to push on, and was met by French
proposals of a Convention. The Convention of
Cintra secured that the French should evacuate
Portugal, leaving for France on board British
ships, and as they were determined to take every-
thingwith them that they could lay their hands on,
this was not a bad arrangement for the French.
Such, at least, was the opinion in England, and a
court of inquiry soon came to the conclusion that it
would have been better to leave the entire matter
in the hands of Wellesley, who was first on the
scene, and had consequently other qualifications
for accurate judgment besides those which his
genius gave him.

Napoleon, however, saw very clearly how much
harm the battle of Vimiera had done him, and came
himself to Spain, enraged at Junot's defeat. The
campaign of Sir John Moore, ending at Corunna,
is too well known for any description to be neces-
sary. The fact that Napoleon could not have
everything his own way was established, and the
struggle in the Peninsula went on, until it closed
five years later with the capture of San Sebas-
tian.

Some extracts from the log of the 5/. Albans
and two letters, tell us of the small share which
Francis Austen had in this business. " St. Albans,
in the English Channel, July 2 2nd, 1808. Received

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on board Brigadier-General Anstruther with his
staff and suite. Weighed and made sail, twenty-
three sail of transports in company.

''July 23. — At a quarter past nine hove to and
called the masters of the transports on board by
signal. Issued to them a sealed rendezvous."

The transports were bad sailors, so it was
not until August 5 that they got away from
the English Channel on the passage towards Por-
tugal. On the 1 2th, off Corunna, news was
received from the Defiance^ which caused a devia-
tion in the route in order to bring Anstruther into
touch with Wellesley, who was then near Figuero,
just before the battle of Vimiera.

" August 16. — Saw a number of ships at anchor
in Figuero Roads. At two o'clock Captain
Malcolm came on board, and brought instructions
for the General as to the disposition of the troops.

''August 17. — Sent a boat with despatches for
Sir Arthur Wellesley on board the transport sent
from Figuero (for this purpose).

''August 19. — At anchor off the Burlings.
Light airs and cloudy weather. At three o'clock a
Portuguese boat came alongside with a messenger
having despatches for Brigadier- General An-
struther from Sir Arthur Wellesley. At daylight
a very thick fog. At eleven the fog cleared away,
weighed and made sail to the southward. At
three, anchored off Panago in company, hoisted out

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Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

all the boats and sent them to disembark the
troops. At six, the General and his staff quitted
the ship. Light airs and fine weather. All the
boats of the fleet employed landing the troops."

The landing went on all night, and was finished
next morning.

On Sunday, the 21st \ ** Observed an action
between the English and French armies on the
heights over Merceira." This was the battle of
Vimiera, where Kellerman and Berthier vainly-
endeavoured to dislodge the British from the crest
of the hills.

August 22. — '' Sent all the boats on shore to
assist in taking off the wounded of our army to the
hospital ships. Boats also employed embarking
French prisoners on board some of the trans-
ports."

August 24. — ''On the passage towards Oporto."
Thence they went back to England, where on Sep-
tember 2 the French prisoners were discharged
at Spithead to the prison ships in the harbour.

Two letters written to the Honble. W. Welles-
ley Pole, brother of Sir Arthur Wellesley, give
this story in a different form.

'* St. Albans off the Burlings, August 18, 1808.

"Sir, — I have to state to you for the information
of my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that
in consequence of intelligence respecting the

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British Army in Portugal, communicated by
Captain Hotham, of his Majesty's ship Defiance^
on the 1 2th inst. off Corunna, Brigadier-General
Anstruther commanding the troops embarked on
board the transports under my convoy, requested
us not to pass Figuera without affording him an
opportunity of obtaining some further intelligence
relative to the situation of Lieutenant-General Sir
Arthur Wellesley ; with this, from existing cir-
cumstances, I thought it my duty to comply,
although contrary to the strict letter of my orders,
and accordingly when round Cape Finisterre,
steered for Cape Mondego, off which I arrived at
noon on the i6th. The Brigadier-General receiv-
ing there orders to proceed along the coast to the
southward and join the convoy under his Majesty's
ship Alfred, whose captain would give him further
information respecting the position and operations
of the army by which he was to guide his own, I
proceeded in consequence thereof with the fleet,
and yesterday at i p.m. joined the Alfred off
Phenice.

'*At four o'clock, in compliance with the Briga-
dier-General's wish, I anchored with the trans-
ports under the Burlings, to prevent their disper-
sion, and to await the arrival of directions from
the Lieutenant-General, to whom an aide-de-camp
was yesterday despatched to announce our arrival,
force, and position.

20I

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

" One of my convoy, having a detachment of the
2nd battalion of the 52nd Regiment on board,
parted company on the night of the 12th instant,
and has, I suppose, In compHance with the secret
rendezvous I issued on the 23rd of July, proceeded
off the Tagus.

*' I have the honour to be. Sir,

" Your obedient humble servant,
*' Francis William Austen."

From the same to the same.

" St. Albans, Spithead, September 2, 1808.

** Sir, — In my letter to you of the i8th ultimate
from off the Burlings forwarded by the Kangaroo,
I had the honour to announce for the information
of my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, the
arrival of his Majesty's ship St. Albans, and the
transports under my charge at that anchorage.
I have now to state to you, for their Lordships'
further information, that the following morning
the fleet moved on to the southward, and anchored
at 3 P.M. off Paymago, where dispositions were
immediately made for disembarking the troops,
which was effected In the course of the night.
On the 20th, I proceeded with the empty
transports, agreeably to the directions I received
from Captain Blight, to join the Alfred off
Merceira, about six miles more to the southward,
and anchoring there at noon of the 2 ist, remaining

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until the 24th, my boats being all that time
employed in landing provisions and stores for the
army, and embarking a number of French
prisoners and wounded British soldiers on board
such of the transports as had been appropriated
for their reception.

'* On the 24th at noon, in obedience to directions
contained In a letter I received the evening before
from Admiral Sir Charles Cotton, I put to sea
with twenty-nine transports under my convoy,
and proceeded with them off Oporto, where I
anchored on the evening of the 27th, and remained
for twenty-four hours until I had seen all safe
over the bar. I then weighed, and, making the
best of my way to England, anchored at Spithead
at 8 A.M. this day."

The SL Albans remained In British waters
until March in the following year, for the greater
part of the time at Spithead, where, in January
1809, Captain Austen took charge of the dis-
embarkation of the remains of Sir John Moore's
army on their arrival from Corunna.

Two of the very few references to public
matters which occur in Jane Austen's letters are
made concerning Sir John Moore and his army.

''December 27, 1808. — The St. A /bans perhaps
may soon be off to help bring home what may
remain by this time of our poor army, whose state

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Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

seems dreadfully critical." '* I am sorry to find
that Sir J. Moore has a mother living, but,
though a very heroic son, he might not be a very
necessary one to her happiness. Deacon Morrel
may be more to Mrs. Morrel. I wish Sir John
had united something of the Christian with the
hero in his death. Thank heaven, we have no
one to care for particularly among the troops, no
one, in fact, nearer to us than Sir John himself.
Colonel Maitland is safe and well ; his mother and
sisters were of course anxious about him, but
there is no entering much into the solicitudes of
that family."

It was in November of 1808 that Mrs. Edward
Austen, the ' Elizabeth ' of the letters, died. Great
grief was evidently felt by all her husband's
family. Jane's letters at the time are full of love
and sympathy. Cassandra was staying with her
brother, and Frank got a few days' extra leave in
order to go there, about a month after the death.

Jane writes to tell his plans.

^^ November 21.

*' Your letter, my dear Cassandra, obliges me to
write immediately, that you may have the earliest
notice of Frank's intending, if possible, to go to
Godmersham exactly at the time now fixed for
your visit to Goodnestone. He resolved almost
directly on the receipt of your former letter to try
for an extension of his leave of absence, that he

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might be able to go down to you for two days,
but charged me not to give you any notice of it,
on account of the uncertainty of success. Now,
however, I must give it, and now perhaps he may
be giving it himself; for I am just in the hateful
predicament of being obliged to write what I know
will somehow or other be of no use. He meant
to ask for five days more, and if they were granted
to go down by Thursday's night mail, and spend
Friday and Saturday with you ; and he con-
sidered his chance of success by no means bad.
I hope it will take place as he planned, and that
your arrangements with Goodnestone may admit
of suitable alteration."

During Francis Austen's commands of the
Leopard, Canopus, and St. Albans, covering the
eventful years of the Boulogne blockade, and of
Trafalgar, and up to 1810, Charles Austen was
serving on the North American station in
command of the Indian sloop. The work to
be done on the coast of the United States was
both arduous and thankless. It consisted mainly
in the enforcement of the right of search for
deserters, and the curtailment of the American
carrying trade, so far as it was considered
illicit.

British war policy had made it necessary to
forbid trading by neutrals between European

20?

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

countries under the sway of Napoleon, and their
dependencies in other parts of the world.
American ingenuity succeeded in evading this
prohibition by arranging for the discharge and
reshipment of cargoes at some United States
port, en route. The ship would load originally at
a West Indian port with goods for Europe, then
sail to a harbour in Massachusetts (for example),
where the cargo was warehoused, and the vessel
repaired. When ready for sea, the captain got
the same cargo on board again, and departed for
the designated market on this side of the Atlantic.
No wonder that American vessels were so fre-
quently spoken by the Canopus and the St, Albans^
for in 1806 and the following years nearly all the
carrying trade was done under the Stars and
Stripes. American shipmasters were able to pay
very high wages, and desertions from British men-
of-war were frequent. Our cruisers had to take
strong measures in face of this growing evil, and
finally an American frigate was boarded, and
several of the crew forcibly removed as deserters.
Such action was possible only on account of the
great strength of the British naval force, a
practical blockade of the United States ports
being enforced along the whole Atlantic seaboard.
This had been done in consequence of decisions of
the Admiralty Court against some of the reship-
ments, which were held by the Judges to be

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evasions of the actual blockades of hostile ports.
The state of tension gradually became acute, but
both Governments were so loth to fight that
negotiations were on foot for several years before
the President of the United States declared war
in 1812. In 1809 3. settlement seemed to have
been reached, and a fleet of six hundred American
traders had already got to sea, when it was dis-
covered that the treaty could not be ratified. It
was indeed almost impossible for England to alter
her policy as regards neutral traders, or to abandon
the right of search for deserters, so long as every
resource was necessary in the struggle against
Napoleon.

Captain Mahan, writing on the ** Continental
System," puts the matter in a nutshell when he
says : *' The neutral carrier, pocketing his pride,
offered his services to either (combatant) for pay,
and the other then regarded him as taking part
in the hostilities."

In 1808 the Indian, Charles Austen's ship,
captured La Jeune Estelle, a small privateer,
but the work on the North- American station was
unprofitable as regards prize-money. In 18 10
Charles gained post rank as captain of the
Swiftsure, flagship to Sir John Warren. The
great event of these years for him was his marriage
in 1807 with Fanny Palmer, daughter of the
Attorney-General of Bermuda.

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Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

In Jane's letters there are constant mentions
of him.

''December 27. — I must write to Charles next
week. You may guess in what extravagant terms
of praise Earle Harwood speaks of him. He is
looked up to by everybody in all America."

''January 10. — Charles's rug will be finished
to-day, and sent to-morrow to Frank, to be con-
signed by him to Mr. Turner's care ; and I am
going to send ' Marmion ' out with it — very gene-
rous in me, I think." ** Marmion" was then just
published. She was a great admirer of Scott, and
doubtless felt the parting from his latest work,
even when making a present of it to Charles.
In another of her letters she writes :

** Walter Scott has no business to write novels,
especially good ones. It is not fair. He has
fame and profits enough as a poet, and ought not
to be taking the bread out of other people's
mouths. I do not mean to like * Waverley ' if I
can help it, but I fear I must."

We hear one more small piece of news con-
cerning Charles in a letter of Jane's dated January
24, 1809: " I had the happiness yesterday of a
letter from Charles, but I shall say as little about
it as possible, because I know that excruciating
Henry will have a letter likewise, to make all my
intelligence valueless. It was written at Bermuda
on the 7th and loth of December. All were well.

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Stars and Stripes

He had taken a small prize in his late cruise — a
French schooner laden with sugar ; but bad
weather parted them, and she had not yet been
heard of. His cruise ended December ist.
My September letter was the latest he had re-
ceived."

We have the sequel to this incident in a letter
from Charles to Cassandra, dated from Bermuda
on December 24, in which he says :

" I wrote to Jane about a fortnight ago acquaint-
ing her with my arrival at this place and of my
having captured a little Frenchman, which, I am
truly sorry to add, has never reached this port, and,
unless she has run to the West Indies, I have lost
her — and, what is a real misfortune, the lives of
twelve of my people, two of them mids. I confess
I have but little hopes of ever hearing of her again.
The weather has been so very severe since we
captured her. I wish you a merry and happy
Xmas, in which Fan joins me, as well as in
bespeaking the love of her dear Grandmother
and Aunts for our little Cassandra. The October
and November mails have not yet reached us, so
that I know nothing of you of late. I hope you
have been more fortunate in hearing of me. I
expect to sail on Tuesday with a small convoy
for the island of St. Domingo, and, after seeing
them in safety, open sealed orders, which I con-
clude will direct me to cruise as long as my

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Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

provisions, &c., will allow, which is generally a
couple of months. My companion, the Vesta, is
to be with me again, which I like very much. I
don't know of any opportunity of sending this,
but shall leave it to take its chance. Tom
Fowler is very well, and is growing quite manly.
I am interrupted, so conclude this by assuring
you how truly I am

** Your affectionate friend

and attached brother,

" Charles J no. Austen."

Charles stayed only five months in the Swift-
sure. In September 1810 he took command of
the Cleopatra, and brought her home in the fol-
lowing April, after an absence of six and a half
years.

Jane's letters show how gladly the news of
*' our own particular little brother's " home-coming
was welcomed. In an account of an evening
party given at the Henry Austens', she tells how
she heard that Charles was soon to return. *' At
half-past seven arrived the musicians in two
hackney coaches, and by eight the lordly com-
pany began to appear. Among the earliest were
George and Mary Cooke, and I spent the greatest
part of the evening very pleasantly with them.
The drawing-room being soon hotter than we
liked, we placed ourselves in the connecting pas-

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CAP'I'AIN CHARLES AUSTEN

Stars and Stripes

sage, which was comparatively cool, and gave us all
the advantage of the music at a pleasant distance,
as well as that of the first view of every new
comer. I was quite surrounded by acquaintances,
especially gentlemen ; and what with Mr. Hamp-
son, Mr. Seymour, Mr. W. Knatchbull, Mr.
Guillemarde, Mr. Cure, a Captain Simpson,
brother to the Captain Simpson, besides Mr.
Walter, and Mr. Egerton, in addition to the
Cookes, and Miss Beckford, and Miss MIddleton,
I had quite as much upon my hands as I could
do. This said Captain Simpson told us, on the
authority of some other captain just arrived from
Halifax, that Charles was bringing the Cleopatra
home, and that she was by this time probably in
the Channel ; but as Captain S. was certainly in
liquor we must not depend on it. It must give
one a sort of expectation, however, and will pre-
vent my writing to him any more. I would rather
he should not reach England till I am at home,
and the Steventon party gone."

A curious time and place to receive such news,
and a still more curious informant according to
the ideas of these days, when men do not appear
at an evening party ** in liquor."

In November 1811 Charles was appointed to
the NamuVy as Flag Captain to his old friend. Sir
Thomas Williams, who was now Commander-in-
Chief at the Nore.

211

CHAPTER XIV

CHINESE MANDARINS

In April 1809 the SL Albans was again at sea,
this time on a voyage to China convoying East
Indiamen.

The first place which Captain Austen describes
on this voyage is Port Cornwallis, Prince of Wales
Island, or Penang. He writes : ** This harbour is
formed by Prince of Wales Island (better known
by the native name of Pulo Penang, signifying in
the Malay language * Betel-nut Island') and the
opposite coast of the Malay Peninsula, from
which at the nearest part it is distant about two
miles. The approach to it is from the northward,
and is neither difficult nor dangerous." After
further remarks on the best way of sailing in and
anchoring, the notes deal with the more generally
interesting facts about the island. It must be
remembered that at this time the Malays were
giving constant trouble to British ships, by small
but very ferocious attacks. ''Wood is in the
greatest abundance, the whole coast of the Malay

212

Chinese Mandarins

Peninsula in the vicinity of this harbour being a
forest, in which any quantity may be had for the
trouble of cutting. Ships of war do not, however,
usually procure it in that way, from the danger of
introducing sickness amongst their crews by the
exposure to the sun, which would be unavoidable.
It may be purchased on the island at a reasonable
price. Water is plentiful, and it has been generally
considered of an excellent quality, and to keep
well at sea.

''Buffalo beef may be procured here in any quan-
tity. The meat is generally very coarse, lean, and
ill-flavoured. Sheep are rarely to be procured,
and never but at a very high price. It should
seem to be an animal which the Malays have not
got, as all those on the island are imported from
Bengal, at a great expense, by individuals for their
consumption. Fish is neither plentiful nor par-
ticularly good in kind ; fruit and vegetables are
abundant and excellent. They are of those species
usually met with in tropical climates, with some
peculiar to the eastern parts of India.

'The fortifications are by no means considerable,
consisting in a square fort, situated on the ex-
tremity of the point which separates the outer
from the inner harbour. It is probably quite suffi-
cient to intimidate the Malays, or repel any attack
they could make were they so disposed, but I
should think it would be far from difficult for two

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Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

or three ships of war to destroy it in a short time.
The whole of the works are in a very dilapidated
state. It is obviously incapable of affording any
protection to the greater part of the town, as an
enemy might land to the northward and destroy
most of the buildings, or lay the inhabitants under
contribution, without being exposed to a single
gun from the fort. To the shipping in the harbour,
indeed, it could give some protection, and that pro-
bably was the principal consideration in selecting
the spot which it occupies. There was formerly
a work called (from its shape, I presume) the
Frying-pan Battery, but it is now in a state of ruin,
a great part of it having fallen in. The sea
appears to be gradually washing away the soil
from under its foundations.

** The military force usually kept on the island
consists in a battalion of Sepoys about 600 strong,
and a company of European artillery. I did not
understand that there was any militia or means of
increasing the effective force in case of an attack
or other emergency. The public wharf is built
of wood, is of considerable breadth, and, being
roofed over for its whole length, seems well adapted
for sheltering goods of all sorts, in landing or
shipping off, from the effects of the weather, and
especially from the sun, which is generally very
powerful there. The sides being open admit a
free draught and circulation of air, so that it is

214

Chinese Mandarins

perhaps, during the middle of the day, the coolest
place in the town, and as such is resorted to by
the Europeans^ who make it a kind of Mall or
lounging-place.

''Shortly after this island was settled by the
English, the trade became considerable, and bid
fair to increase, as it was found a very convenient
situation for ships to touch at on their voyage
between India and China, or any of the islands in
the Eastern seas, having many local advantages
over Malacca, which had previously been used for
that purpose.

*' It was also considered favourable for the culti-
vation of pepper, large plantations of which were
made and throve exceedingly. In consequence
of the war, however, which has so long desolated
Europe, and in its progress gradually shut nearly
every port on that continent against British ships
and trade, the market for pepper grown here has
been much straitened, and is now chiefly con-
fined to China. The pepper plantations having
in consequence thereof been found very un-
profitable concerns, and in many instances I
believe heavy losses, are now much reduced in
number and extent ; nor, so far as I could learn,
has any other species of cultivation been intro-
duced to occupy the soil and give employment to
the labour and capital which have been so
diverted.

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Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

" Many spots, which had been cleared and pro-
duced crops, are now neglected, and, as the pro-
gress of vegetation here is exceedingly rapid and
luxuriant, are verging fast to their original wild,
forest-like state.

** Within the last two or three years attempts
have been made by a few gentlemen to introduce
the culture of the nutmeg, clove and cinnamon ;
several plants have been procured which are in a
thriving state, and it is generally thought that the
soil and situation will suit them ; but no return can
possibly be obtained for the first five or six years,
which must effectually prevent any but persons of
large capitals embarking in such a concern.

"Many parts of the island would do very well
for the growth of rice, but it has been the policy of
the Government to discourage that species of
husbandry as much as possible, from an idea that
it would render the settlement unhealthy ; and as
that grain can always be procured in any quantity,
and at a very cheap rate, from the Malay coast,
the measure of obstructing its cultivation on the
island seems to have been a prudent one.

** Timber fit for naval purposes may be procured
at several places in the neighbourhood, particu-
larly Pegu and Rangoon on the coast of Aracan,
and Siacca on the north-east coast of Sumatra.
There are several species of it, most, if not all, of
which are considered very durable, particularly

ai6

Chinese Mandarins

the teak. Poon and other spars fit for masts and
yards may also be had from many parts of the
Malay coast at very moderate prices, some of
which are of a sufficient size to make a main-
mast for a seventy-four-gun ship of a single tree.
The wood is considerably heavier than fir, but
being also much stronger, masts and yards made
of it will admit of being reduced in diameter, and
nearly, if not quite, equal to the difference in
weight. Ships of considerable burden have at
different times been built here ; the last and
largest was a thirty-six-gun frigate built at the
expense of the East India Company, and launched
in August 1809.

'* It was in contemplation a few years back to
construct docks here, and the little island of
Jerajah was pointed out as a proper situation.

'* Gates for the docks were sent out from
England, and a steam-engine for working pumps,
as the fall of water would not be sufficient to empty
the docks ; but nothing has yet been done, and
the idea seems to have been given up.

*' Having the means of docking ships here would
on many occasions be productive of very great
convenience as well to the public service as to
private individuals. For want thereof any ship
requiring to be docked must now go to Bengal,
or, if a large one, to Bombay, at a great loss of
time and increased expense, especially if trading

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Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

to China or into the Eastern Seas, in which case
it certainly would occasion the loss of the season
altogether.

** The population of the island is said to be
about 50,000 souls, but I should think it consider-
ably over-rated at that statement. It is composed
of various nations, Malays, Chinese, Cochin-
Chinese, Siamese, Birmans, Bengalees, Malabars,
Chulians, and most of the nations and castes of
India, with a few Europeans, which last fill
situations under the Government, or are engaged
in mercantile concerns. The languages are as
various as the nations, few of them speaking any
other than that of their own country. It is a
singular fact that more than thirty, totally dis-
tinct from each other, are spoken in the Bazar.
The Government, appointed by the East India
Directors, is entirely independent of the Presi-
dencies. The present Governor is a military
man, having the local rank on the islands of
Colonel in the Company's army, and is Com-
mander-in-Chief of all the troops there.

** As the civil code is in many instances suited
to the peculiar customs and usages of the different
nations composing the population, who are in
general fond of litigation, the office of Chief
Judge is a very arduous and fatiguing one."

The SL Albans was sent on to China with the
convoy of East Indiamen, and anchored in the

218

Chinese Mandarins

river of Canton. Various matters kept them
here for more than five months, from September
1 8, 1809, till March 2, 18 10.

The river of Canton had for many years been
infested with pirates, called Ladrones, who
robbed and murdered, devastated the country,
attacked villages, and were even a danger to the
town of Canton itself. In order to hold them in
some measure in check, the Chinese Government
had engaged an English vessel called the Mercury
to act against them ; and immediately on the
arrival of the St. Albans, Francis Austen was
asked if he would consider it consistent with his
duty to give any further help. He replied that,
considering the friendly relations between Britain
and China, he should feel himself quite at liberty
to give what help he could. He stipulated how-
ever that he should receive a written application
from the Viceroy of Canton, and also that the
restrictions which the Chinese Government had
imposed on the British ships of war to prohibit
them from passing the Bocca Tigris should be
removed, and every part of the river made free to
them. He pointed out that the Chinese Mandarin
(or war) boats would be suitable for the purpose
of attacking the Ladrones if overhauled, fitted
with European artillery and manned by Euro-
peans, and also that the British ships were of no
manner of use in the river, as they were all much

219

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

too large, and moreover all but the S^. Albans
would soon be on their passage home. He also
expressed a readiness to wait on the Viceroy in
order to talk the matter over.

The appointment was made to meet at the
Hoppo's house at two o'clock on November 2 ;
and here Captain Austen presented himself, but
** after waiting nearly half an hour in a close
dirty kind of lobby, exposed to the stare of every
blackguard who could squeeze himself into the
passage leading to it, and having our noses
assailed by a combination of villanous smells, I
was informed that the Viceroy had gone away,
but that the Hoppo would come and speak to me."
This Captain Austen absolutely declined, and
retired, leaving word that if the Viceroy wished
hereafter to see him, ** he would at any time have
it in his power to do so by coming to the British
factory." He adds : *' It is not easy to account
for the Viceroy's behaviour, but I am inclined to
set it down to the score of imbecility, and a
struggle between pride and the conviction of his
own inability to arrest the progress of the pirates,
in which the former has obtained the victory."
His dealings with the Viceroy were, however, by
no means at an end. About a month afterwards
it was necessary to make a serious complaint to
the Chinese Government. Some officers of the
St, Albans had gone ashore for shooting. One

220

Chinese Mandarins

of them was attacked by a buffalo, and was only
rescued from being gored to death by his friends,
who shot the animal. Numerous Chinamen
immediately gathered round full of indignation at
the slaughter of the brute, and, in spite of the
protestations of the Englishmen, and their asser-
tions that they would make full restitution, they
were attacked in a most violent manner, and only
got away by buying their liberty. Evidently the
"very friendly feelings" supposed to be existing
between the two governments were not so
cordially shared by individuals.

After these two minor troubles, a very difficult
matter came before Francis Austen, and his skill
and courtesy in dealing with it earned him the
unqualified thanks of the East India Company,
besides some more substantial recognition. Just
when the SL Albans and her convoy were pre-
pared to put to sea again, they were informed
that the ** Chops " would not be granted to them,
or the ships allowed to depart. The reason
given was that a Chinaman had been killed in the
town, and, it was stated, by an Englishman.
This was a serious matter to deal with, as the
evidence was most difficult to collect — the Chinese
were thorough-paced liars — and every day of
delay now made it more and more likely that the
convoy would encounter bad weather on the way
home. The Viceroy insisted that the English

331

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

officers should themselves discover the offender,
while Captain Austen pointed out that they had
no means of knowing anything about the matter,
even if the culprit were one of their own men, and
that the police of Canton were more likely to be
successful in discovering the offender. In a
letter to Admiral Drury, Commander-in-Chief in
India, Francis Austen feelingly remarks : ** I
need not detail to you, Sir, who are so well aware
of them, the difficulties that oppose and retard
the discussion of any question with the Chinese
from various causes, but especially from the want
of efficient means of getting our sentiments
properly and faithfully rendered into Chinese,
nor the pertinacity with which they adhere to any
opinion they have once assumed, or assertion
once made, in defiance of justice, equity and
common sense. You know them all. But when
I reflect upon these obstacles, and the general
character of the people, I cannot help feeling in
how very arduous a situation I am placed, and
what important consequences may result from my
conduct." The evidence of the two witnesses
was certainly not of a sort to make matters easy
for the Committee appointed to examine the
question. '* One states there was neither noise
nor fighting, the other that there was noise and
he saw fighting for ten minutes, although not
being present at the commencement of it he

2S2

Chinese Mandarins

knew not how much longer it might have been
going on. Again one of them stated that he
knew nothing of the business and was not with
the deceased when he was stabbed, and immedi-
ately afterwards stated that he saw him stabbed,
and was only four cubits from him at the time.
One of them states it to be quite dark, and the
other that it was moonlight."

In spite of all this, when the insufficiency of the
evidence was pointed out to the Mandarins, they,
** like true Chinese Mandarins (which designation,
perhaps, comprises every bad quality which has
disgraced human nature), insisted that, as we must
now be clearly convinced that the offender was
an Englishman, we could no longer have any
pretence for withholding him from justice, and
therefore would, of course, give him up to be tried
according to the laws of China. A Mandarin is
not a reasoning animal, nor ought to be treated
as a rational one."

The matter was finally settled by allowing the
British ships to depart on condition that there was
an inquiry held during the voyage home, the
result of which was to be communicated from
England to China on the arrival of the SL Albans
and convoy. This seems a truly Chinese mode
of arrangement, but not wholly unsatisfactory, as
it was discovered that three of the men on the
Cumberland (one of the Indiamen) had been

223

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

engaged in the riot, and carrying arms at the time,
so that there was some presumptive evidence for
their being the actual perpetrators of the deed.
The SL Albans was back in England by July,
with the convoy, calling at St. Helena on the
way.

His long service as midshipman must have
made the navigation in the China Seas tolerably
familiar to Captain Austen. The points men-
tioned in this part of the log have a peculiar
interest at the moment of writing this chapter
(May 1905), when we have all been watching
the great drama of the Russian fleet's approach to
Japanese waters, followed by their destruction,
more complete than that of the vanquished at
Trafalgar. Cape Varella, Natuna and Saputa
Islands, and the Paracels, are all amongst the
log records. Passing the latter group seems
to have been always an anxious time, as shoals
are frequent northward of Singapore, which
town, by the way, had no apparent existence
in 1809.

There is a curious correspondence, partly by
signal, on the passage down the China Seas :

''March 16, 18 10. — At i p.m. telegraph signal
to Perseverance (one of the tea-ships of the
convoy) : * Do you know anything of the shoal
called the Dogger Bank, and which side would
you recommend passing it ? '

224

Chinese Mandarins

''Perseverance answers, 'The shoal is doubt-
ful. I should wish to pass to the eastward

of it;

"At 3 o'clock the Glutton (another of the tea-
laden Indiamen) made signal to speak with us.
Shortened sail.

" At 4, Captain Halliburton informed me
that the Dogger Bank is by no means doubt-
ful, having himself been in a ship which was
aground on it. They found it exceedingly
irregular."

The connection of the name with the ** unto-
ward incident " of October 1 904 and the Russian
fleet is a coincidence.

One of the outline sketches which occur in the
logs is that of Krakatoa Island, in the Straits of
Sunda. This mountain was partially destroyed
in 1882 by the immense eruption of volcanic
matter, which coloured the sunsets all over the
world many months afterwards.

Francis Austen was superseded in the St,
Albans in September 18 10 by his own wish. He
naturally wanted a short time without employment
to spend with his wife, who had not had much of
his society since their marriage.

From December in the same year till May
1 8 1 1 he was stationed off the coast of France as
Flag- Captain to Lord Gambier in the Caledonia,
After this there was another holiday of about

Tanc Austen's Sailor Brothers

two months, spent with his wife and children
in paying visits. Jane's letters speak of their
being at Steventon, and of a projected visit to
Chawton.

On July i8, 1811, he took command of the
Elephant^ and became again concerned in the
Napoleonic wars.

226

Cassandra's sketch of jane "

CHAPTER XV
A LETTER FROM JANE

The time of Captain Austen's service in the
Elephant is divided into three periods. For over
a year she was employed with Admiral Young's
fleet in the North Sea, which was stationed there
to watch Vice-Admiral Missiessy, then at anchor
at the mouth of the Scheldt, ready to slip
out if occasion offered. The ships under his
command had been newly built in Napoleon s
great dockyard of Flushing, which was rendered
ineffective by the constant British blockade.
In the autumn of 1812 the Elephant was cruising
off the Azores with the Phcebe and Hermes,
The disputes concerning trade had by this
time resulted in war with the United States.
On this cruise we have the record in the log
of the capture of an American privateer, the
Sword/ish.

** December 27. — At two, saw a strange sail
bearing W. by N. Made the signal to the Hermes
with a gun. Made all sail in chace. At sunset,

227

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

chace distant two miles. The chace had all the
appearance of an armed vessel.

**28. — Fired several shots at the chace. At
five minutes to two perceived her hoist two lights
and bring to. At two shortened sail, hove to,
boarded, and took possession of the chace, which
proved to be the American schooner privateer
Swordfish, out sixteen days from Boston, armed
with twelve six-pounders and eighty-two men.
During the chace ten of her guns and several
spars were thrown overboard."

After her return to England with the prize
and another turn at the Flushing blockade, the
Elephant was ordered to the Baltic. They were
engaged in convoying vast numbers of small
vessels through the Sound and the Belt past the
coasts of Denmark, which was still under the
power of France, and in keeping at a distance
such armed craft of the enemy as were dangerous.
We find, in these short cruises to and fro, as
many as two hundred and fifty or three hundred
sail in company, under the charge of three or
four men-of-war. An entry in the log on
October lo will show the nature of the work :
** A boat from the Zealous came with letters for
the Admiral, and to say that the galliott chaced
yesterday was one which had drifted out of the
convoy the preceding night, and was captured
in the morning by a row-boat privateer off

328

A Letter from Jane

Nascoi, which, on the Zealous approach, aban-
doned her and escaped into Femerin. It appear-
ing on examining the master of the galHott that
he never had belonged to the convoy, but had
merely joined them off Anholt and continued
with them for security sake, without applying for
instructions, it was decided to consider the vessel
as a recapture, and to take her on to Carlskrona
as such. She is called the Neptunus, Daniel
Si very, master, belonging to Gottenberg, and
bound from that place to Stralsund with a cargo
of rice, sugar, coffee, and indigo/'

The Island of Anholt, captured in 1809, was a
possession of great importance to the English
when engaged in this work, on account of its
lighthouse, which could signal to the ships of the
convoy and keep them all in their places. Of
this island Captain Austen had a few words to
say which show that its importance lay therein
alone. After a lengthy and minute description
of the lighthouse and all which appertained to it,
he continues : '* The garrison at present consists
of about three men of a veteran battalion, and
a few marine artillery, which form by many
degrees the most considerable portion of the
population, for, exclusive of the military and their
appendages of wives and children, there are but
sixteen families on the island, who all reside at
the only village on it, near the high ground to

339

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

the westward, and whose principal occupation is
fishing, in which they are generally very successful
during the summer.

** Antecedent to the war between England and
Denmark and the consequent occupation of the
island by the English, the Anholters paid a small
rent to the proprietor of the soil, who is a Danish
nobleman residing at Copenhagen ; but at pre-
sent they are considered and fed as prisoners of
war by the English. They are an exceedingly
poor people, and seem to enjoy but a small
proportion of worldly comfort."

The Island of Rugen, which was another
anchoring station for the Elephant, was the only
portion of the conquests of Gustavus Adolphus
which still remained under the Swedish flag.
The whole tract of country which he conquered
was called Swedish Pomerania, but the mainland
districts had lately been occupied by part of
Napoleon's army under Marshal Brune.

Of Rugen, Captain Austen writes : ** The
British ships of war were not supplied with fresh
beef and vegetables whilst the Elephant was there,
and I understood because (though they might
have been procured) the price was too great,
which may probably be in a great degree owing
to the neighbouring part of Pomerania having
been last year occupied by the French troops,
and having suffered much from the effects of war,

230

A Letter from Jane

as well as having still large armies in its vicinity,
which must of course very materially affect the
state of the markets for provisions of all kinds."

While the Elephant was employed in this way
in convoying small vessels backwards and for-
wards, great events were going on all round.
The southern shores of the Baltic were Included
this year in the great arena of the battles which
preceded the downfall of Napoleon.

Napoleon's day was now nearly over. The
retreat, in 1812, from Moscow had shaken his
reputation, and Prussia no longer attempted to
keep up the disguise of friendly relations with
France. The revolt of the Prussian regiments
of Napoleon's army gave the signal for a national
organisation, and the whole country turned openly
against France. The garrisons left in the forti-
fied towns, conquered seven years earlier, were
the only remnants of French dominion. Marshal
Bernadotte, who had fought for his Emperor at
Grezlaw and Wagram, had lately been selected
to be Crown Prince of Sweden. His interests
were now centred In Sweden, and his great desire
was to conquer Norway. That kingdom was
ceded in 18 14, in exchange for Rugen and the
Pomeranian territories, and has been, almost
from that date, a source of increasing difficulty
to the Crown of Sweden. Bernadotte had asked
help towards his project from Napoleon, at the

231

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

same time promising to give him reinforcements
for the Russian invasion. This offer was refused,
and Bernadotte remained neutral until he saw
that matters were going against his former sove-
reign. Now, in 1813, he declared himself an
ally of the Russians and Austrians, and brought
across the Baltic into Swedish Pomerania a con-
tingent of 12,000 men, of whom a considerable
number were convoyed by English men-of-
war.

In the log for May 28, 181 3, we read : ** Sailed
the Princess Caroline and several of the brigs,
with a large fleet of transports, for the Sound.
The transports have 4900 Swedish troops on
board, to be landed in Swedish Pomerania."
These soldiers assisted in the defeat of Marshal
Oudinot, and were among the force which
drove back Napoleon from Leipzig in the next
October, just at the same time that Wellington
had completed the liberation of Spain and
was leading his army through the passes of the
Pyrenees.

It is scarcely remarkable that the signal
asking for news should be so frequently made
from the Elephant when such events were in
progress.

A letter from Jane to her brother, written
while all this was going on, must have been
truly refreshing, with its talk of hayfields, and

232

A Letter from Jane

abundance of cheerful gossip about nothing in
particular :

" Chawton, July 3, 1813.

" My dearest Frank, — Behold me going to
write you as handsome a letter as I can ! Wish
me good luck. We have had the pleasure of
hearing from you lately through Mary, who sent
us some of the particulars of yours of June 18
(I think), written off Rugen, and we enter into
the delight of your having so good a pilot. Why
are you like Queen Elizabeth ? Because you
know how to chuse wise ministers. Does not
this prove you as great a Captain as she was a
Queen ? This may serve as a riddle for you to
put forth among your officers, by way of increas-
ing your proper consequence. It must be a real
enjoyment to you, since' you are obliged to leave
England, to be where you are, seeing something
of a new country and one which has been so dis-
tinguished as Sweden. You must have great
pleasure in it. I hope you may have gone to
Carlscroon. Your profession has its douceui^s to
recompense for some of its privations ; to an en-
quiring and observing mind like yours such
douceurs must be considerable. Gustavus Vasa,
and Charles XII., andCristina and Linneus. Do
their ghosts rise up before you ? I have a great
respect for former Sweden, so zealous as it was
for Protestantism. And I have always fancied

233

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

it more like England than other countries ; and,
according to the map, many of the names have a
strong resemblance to the English. July begins
unpleasantly with us, cold and showery, but it is
often a baddish month. We had some fine dry
weather preceding it, which was very acceptable
to the Holders of Hay, and the Masters of
Meadows. In general it must have been a good
hay-making season. Edward has got in all his
in excellent order ; I speak only of Chawton, but
here he has better luck than Mr. Middleton ever
had in the five years that he was tenant. Good en-
couragement for him to come again, and I really
hope he will do so another year. The pleasure
to us of having them here is so great that if we
were not the best creatures in the world we should
not deserve it. We go on in the most comfortable
way, very frequently dining together, and always
meeting in some part of every day. Edward is
very well, and enjoys himself as thoroughly as
any Hampshire-born Austen can desire. Chawton
is not thrown away upon him. He talks of
making a new garden ; the present is a bad one
and ill-situated, near Mr. Papillon's. He means
to have the new at the top of the lawn behind his
own house. We like to have him proving and
strengthening his attachment to the place by
making it better. He will soon have all his
children about him. Edward, George and Charles

234

A Letter trom Jane

are collected already, and another week brings
Henry and William. It is the custom at Win-
chester for Georges to come away a fortnight
before the holidays, when they are not to return
any more ; for fear they should overstudy them-
selves just at last, I suppose. Really it is a piece of
dishonourable accommodation to the Master. We
are in hopes of another visit from our true lawful
Henry very soon ; he is to be our guest this time.
He is quite well, I am happy to say, and does
not leave it to my pen, I am sure, to communicate
to you the joyful news of his being Deputy Re-
ceiver no longer. It is a promotion which he
thoroughly enjoys, as well he may ; the work of
his own mind. He sends you all his own plans
of course. The scheme for Scotland we think an
excellent one both for himself and his nephew.
Upon the whole his spirits are very much re-
covered. If I may so express myself his mind is
not a mind for affliction ; he is too busy, too active,
too sanguine. Sincerely as he was attached to
poor Eliza moreover, and excellently as he be-
haved to her, he was always so used to be away
from her at times, that her loss is not felt as that
of many a beloved wife might be, especially when
all the circumstances of her long and dreadful
illness are taken into the account. He very long
knew that she must die, and it was indeed a re-
lease at last. Our mourning for her is not over,

235

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

or we should be putting it on again for Mr. Thomas
Leigh, who has just closed a good life at the age
of seventy-nine, and must have died the possessor
of one of the finest estates in England, and of
more worthless nephews and nieces than any
other private man in the United Kingdom. We
are very anxious to know who will have the living
of Adlestrop, and where his excellent sister will
find a home for the remainder of her days. As
yet she bears his loss with fortitude, but she has
always seemed so wrapped up in him that I fear
she must feel it dreadfully when the fever of
business is over. There is another female suf-
ferer on the occasion to be pitied. Poor Mrs. L.
P. (Leigh Perrot) who would now have been
mistress of Stoneleigh had there been none of the
vile compromise, which in good truth has never
been allowed to be of much use to them. It will
be a hard trial. Charles' little girls were with us
about a month, and had so endeared themselves
that we were quite sorry to have them go. They
are now all at South End together. Why do I
mention that ? As if Charles did not write him-
self. I hate to be spending my time so needlessly,
encroaching too upon the rights of others. I
wonder whether you happened to see Mr. Black-
all's marriage in the papers last January. We
did. He was married at Clifton to a Miss Lewis,
whose father had been late of Antigua. I should

236

A Letter from Jane

very much like to know what sort of a woman
she is. He was a piece of perfection — noisy
perfection — himself, which I always recollect with
regard. We had noticed a few months before
his succeeding to a College living, the very living
which we recollected his talking of, and wishing
for; an exceeding good one. Great Cadbury in
Somersetshire. I would wish Miss Lewis to be
of a silent turn and rather ignorant, but naturally
intelligent and wishing to learn, fond of cold veal
pies, green tea in the afternoon, and a green
window blind at night.

** You will be glad to hear that every copy of S.
and S. is sold, and that it has brought me ;if 140, be-
sides the copyright, if that should ever be of any
value. I have now, therefore, written myself into
jC^SOy which only makes me long for more. I have
something in hand which I hope the credit of
P. and P. will sell well, though not half so enter-
taining, and by the bye shall you object to my
mentioning the Elephant in it, and two or three
other old ships ? I have done it, but it shall not
stay to make you angry. They are only just
mentioned.

''July 6. — I have kept open my letter on the
chance of what Tuesday's post might furnish in
addition, and it furnishes the likelihood of our
keeping our neighbours at the Great House
some weeks longer than we expected. Mr.

237

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

Scudamore, to whom my brother referred, is very
decided as to Godmersham not being fit to be
inhabited at present. He talks even of two
months being necessary to sweeten it, but if we
have warm weather I daresay less will do. My
brother will probably go down and sniff at it
himself, and receive his rents. The rent-day has
been postponed already.

" We shall be gainers by their stay, but the
young people in general are disappointed, and
therefore could wish it otherwise. Our cousins.
Colonel Thomas Austen and Margaretta, are
going as aide-de-camps to Ireland ; and Lord
Whitworth goes in their train as Lord- Lieutenant ;
good appointments for each. I hope you con-
tinue well and brush your hair, but not all off.
** Yours very affectionately,

*^J. A."

The '* something in hand " in this letter was
'* Mansfield Park." The mentions of ships occur
in one of the scenes at Portsmouth, when the
whole of the Price family are full of the Thrush
going out of harbour, and have no eyes or ears
for Fanny, who has just come home after an
absence of seven or eight years. Th2 scene is
worth quoting almost in extenso :

'* Fanny was all agitation and flutter — all hope
and apprehension. The moment they stopped,

238

A Letter trom Jane

a trollopy-Iooking maid-servant, seemingly in
waiting for them at the door, stepped forward,
and, more intent on telling the news than giving
them any help, immediately began with — * The
Thrush is gone out of harbour, please, sir, and one
of the officers has been to ' She was inter-
rupted by a fine tall boy of eleven years old, who,
rushing out of the house, pushed the maid aside,
and while William was opening the chaise-door
himself, called out, * You are just in time. We
have been looking for you this half-hour. The
Thrush went out of harbour this morning. I saw
her. It was a beautiful sight. And they think
she will have her orders in a day or two. And
Mr. Campbell was here at four o'clock to ask for
you ; he has got one of the Thrush's boats, and
is going off to her at six, and hoped you would
be here in time to go with him.'

** A stare or two at Fanny, as William helped
her out of the carriage, was all the voluntary
notice which this brother bestowed ; but he made
no objection to her kissing him, though still en-
gaged in detailing farther particulars of the
Thrush's going out of harbour, in which he had a
strong right of interest, being to commence his
career of seamanship in her at this very time.

** Another moment, and Fanny was in the
passage and in her mother's arms. She was then
taken into a small parlour. Her mother was gone

239

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

again to the street-door to welcome William. * Oh,
my dear William, how glad I am to see you ! But
have you heard about the Thrush ? She is gone
out of harbour already, three days before we had
any thought of it ; and I do not know what I am
to do about Sam's things ; they will never be
ready in time ; for she may have her orders to-
morrow perhaps. It takes me quite unawares.
And now you must be off to Spithead, too.
Campbell has been here quite in a worry about
you ; and now what shall we do ? I thought to
have had such a comfortable evening with you,
and now everything comes upon me at once.'

'* Her son answered cheerfully, telling her that
everything was always for the best, and making
light of his own inconvenience in being obliged
to hurry away so soon.

'' * To be sure, I had much rather she had stayed
in harbour, that I might have sat a few hours with
you in comfort, but as there is a boat ashore I
had better go off at once, and there is no help for
it. Whereabouts does the Thrush lie at Spit-
head? Near the Canopus? But, no matter —
here is Fanny in the parlour, and why should we
stay in the passage ? Come, mother, you have
hardly looked at your own dear Fanny yet.'

** Lastly, in walked Mr. Price himself, his own
loud voice preceding him, as, with something of
an oath kind, he kicked away his son's portman-

240

A Letter from Jane

teau and his daughter's bandbox in the passage
and called out for a candle ; no candle was
brought, however, and he walked into the room.

*' Fanny, with doubting feelings, had risen to
meet him, but sank down on finding herself
undistinguished in the dusk, and unthought of.
With a friendly shake of his son's hand, and an
eager voice, he instantly began — *Ha! welcome
back, my boy. Glad to see you. Have you heard
the news? The Thrush went out of harbour
this morning. Sharp is the word, you see. By

G , you are just in time. The doctor has

been inquiring for you ; he has got one of the
boats, and is to be off for Spithead by six, so you
had better go with him. I have been to Turner's
about your mess ; it is all in a way to be done.
I should not wonder if you had your orders to-
morrow ; but you cannot sail in this wind, if you
are to cruise to the westward with the Elephant,

By G , I wish you may. But old Scholey

was saying, just now, that he thought you would
be sent first by Texel. Well, well, we are ready,

whatever happens. But, by G , you lost a

fine sight by not being here in the morning to see
the Thrush go out of harbour. I would not have
been out of the way for a thousand pounds. Old
Scholey ran in at breakfast-time, to say she had
slipped her moorings and was coming out. I
lumped up, and made but two steps to the plat-

241 Q

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

form. If ever there was a perfect beauty afloat,
she is one ; and there she lies at Spithead, and
anybody in England would take her for an eight-
and-twenty. I was upon the platforms two hours
this afternoon looking at her. She lies close to
the Endymion, between her and the Cleopatra
just to the eastward of the sheer hulk.' * Ha ! '
cried William, ' that's just where I should have
put her myself. It's the best berth at Spithead.
But here is my sister, sir ; here is Fanny,' turning
and leading her forward ; * it is so dark you did
not see her.' With an acknowledgment that he
had quite forgot her, Mr. Price now received his
daughter, and having given her a cordial hug,
and observed that she was grown into a woman,
and he supposed would be wanting a husband
soon, seemed very much inclined to forget her
again."

The statement in the beginning of '' Mansfield
Park " that '' Miss Frances (Mrs. Price) married,
in the common phrase, to 'disoblige her family,'
and by fixing on a lieutenant of marines, without
education, fortune or connections, did it very
thoroughly," is not difficult to believe.

342

CHAPTER XVI

ANOTHER LETTER FROM JANE

Unfortunately we have not got Frank's reply to
his sister's letter, but we have her next letter to
him dated about two months later, when she was
staying with Edward.

*'GoDMERSHAM Park, September ^s, 1813.

** My dearest Frank, — The i ith of this month
brought me your letter, and I assure you I thought
it very well worth its two and three-pence. I am
very much obliged to you for filling me so long a
sheet of paper ; you are a good one to traffic with
in that way, you pay most liberally ; my letter
was a scratch of a note compared to yours, and
then you write so even, so clear, both in style and
penmanship, so much to the point, and give so
much intelligence, that it is enough to kill one. I
am sorry Sweden is so poor, and my riddle so bad.
The idea of a fashionable bathing-place in Meck-
lenberg ! How can people pretend to be fashion-
able or to bathe out of England.'* Rostock market

243

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

makes one's mouth water ; our cheapest butcher's
meat is double the price of theirs ; nothing under
nine-pence all this summer, and I believe upon
recollection nothing under ten-pence. Bread has
sunk and is likely to sink more, which we hope
may make meat sink too. But I have no occasion
to think of the price of bread or of meat where I
am now ; let me shake off vulgar cares and con-
form to the happy indifference of East Kent
wealth, I wonder whether you and the King of
Sweden knew that I was to come to Godmersham
with .my brother. Yes, I suppose you have re-
ceived due notice of it by some means or other.
I have not been here these four years, so I am
sure the event deserves to be talked of before and
behind, as well as in the middle. We left Chawton
on the 14th, spent two entire days in town, and
arrived here on the 17th. My brother, Fanny,
Lizzie, Marianne, and I composed this division of
the family, and filled his carriage inside and out.
Two post-chaises, under the escort of George,
conveyed eight more across the country, the chair
brought two, two others came on horseback, and
the rest by coach, and so, by one means or another,
we all are removed. It puts me in remind of
St. Paul's shipwreck, when all are said, by different
means, to reach the shore in safety. I left my
mother, Cassandra, and Martha well, and have
had good accounts of them since. At present

244

Another Letter from Jane

they are quite alone, but they are going to be
visited by Mrs. Heathcote and Miss Bigg, and to
have a few days of Henry s company likewise.

" I expect to be here about two months, Edward
is to be in Hampshire again in November, and
will take me back. I shall be sorry to be in Kent
so long without seeing Mary, but I am afraid it
must be so. She has very kindly invited me to
Deal, but is aware of the great improbability of
my being able to get there. It would be a great
pleasure to me to see Mary Jane again too, and
her brothers, new and old. Charles and his
family I do hope to see ; they are coming here for
a week in October. We were accommodated in
Henrietta Street. Henry was so good as to find
room for his three nieces and myself in his house.
Edward slept at a hotel in the next street.
No. lo is made very comfortable with cleaning
and painting, and the Sloane Street furniture.
The front room upstairs is an excellent dining
and common sitting parlour, and the smaller one
behind will sufficiently answer his purpose as a
drawing-room. He has no intention of giving
large parties of any kind. His plans are all for
the comfort of his friends and himself. Madame
Bigeon and her daughter have a lodging in his
neighbourhood, and come to him as often as he
likes, or as they like. Madame B. always mar-
kets for him, as she used to do, and, upon our

245

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

being in the house, was constantly there to do the
work. She is wonderfully recovered from the
severity of her asthmatic complaint. Of our three
evenings in town, one was spent at the Lyceum,
and another at Covent Garden. '* The Clandes-
tine Marriage" was the most respectable of the
performances, the rest were sing-song and trum-
pery; but it did very well for Lizzy and Marianne,
who were indeed delighted, but I wanted better
acting. There was no actor worth naming. I
believe the theatres are thought at a very low ebb
at present. Henry has probably sent you his
own account of his visit in Scotland. I wish he
had had more time, and could have gone further
north, and deviated to the lakes in his way back ;
but what he was able to do seems to have afforded
him great enjoyment, and he met with scenes of
higher beauty in Roxburghshire than I had sup-
posed the South of Scotland possessed. Our
nephew's gratification was less keen than our
brother's. Edward is no enthusiast in the beauties
of nature. His enthusiasm is for the sports of
the field only. He is a very promising and pleas-
ing young man however, upon the whole, behaves
with great propriety to his father, and great kind-
ness to his brothers and sisters, and we must forgive
his thinking more of grouse and partridges than
lakes and mountains. He and George are out
every morning either shooting or with the harriers.

246

Another Letter from Jane

They are good shots. Just at present I am
mistress and miss altogether here, Fanny being
gone to Goodnestone for a day or two, to attend
the famous fair, which makes its yearly distribu-
tion of gold paper and coloured persian through
all the family connections. In this house there is
a constant succession of small events, somebody
is always going or coming ; this morning we had
Edward Bridges unexpectedly to breakfast with
us, on his way from Ramsgate, where is his wife,
to Lenham, where is his church, and to-morrow he
dines and sleeps here on his return. They have
been all the summer at Ramsgate for her health ;
she is a poor honey — the sort of woman who gives
me the idea of being determined never to be well
and who likes her spasms and nervousness, and
the consequence they give her, better than any-
thing else. This is an ill-natured statement to
send all over the Baltic. The Mr. Knatchbulls,
dear Mrs. Knight's brothers, dined here the other
day. They came from the Friars, which is still
on their hands. The elder made many inquiries
after you. Mr. Sherer is quite a new Mr. Sherer
to me ; I heard him for the first time last Sunday,
and he gave us an excellent sermon, a little too
eager sometimes in his delivery, but that is to me
a better extreme than the want of animation,
especially when it evidently comes from the heart,
as in him. The clerk is as much like you as ever.

247

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

I am always glad to see him on that account
But the Sherers are going away. He has a bad
curate at Westwell, whom he can eject only by
residing there himself. He goes nominally for
three years, and a Mr. Paget is to have the curacy
of Godmersham ; a married man, with a very
musical wife, which I hope may make her a desir-
able acquaintance to Fanny.

" I thank you very warmly for your kind consent
to my application, and the kind hint which followed
it. I was previously aware of what I should be
laying myself open to ; but the truth is that the
secret has spread so far as to be scarcely the
shadow of a secret now, and that, I believe, when-
ever the third appears, I shall not even attempt
to tell lies about it. I shall rather try to make all
the money than all the mystery I can of it.
People shall pay for their knowledge if I can
make them. Henry heard P. and P. warmly
praised in Scotland by Lady Robert Kerr and
another lady ; and what does he do, in the warmth
of his brotherly vanity and love, but immediately
tell them who wrote it. A thing once set going
in that way — one knows how it spreads, and he,
dear creature, has set it going so much more than
once. I know it is all done from affection and par-
tiality, but at the same time let me here again
express to you and Mary my sense of the superior
kindness which you have shown on the occasion

248

Another Letter from Jane

in doing what I wished. I am trying to harden
myself. After all, what a trifle it is, in all its
bearings, to the really important points of one's
existence, even in this world.

** I take it for granted that Mary has told

you of 's engagement to . It came

upon us without much preparation ; at the same
time there was that about her which kept us in
a constant preparation for something. We are
anxious to have it go on well, there being quite
as much in his favour as the chances are likely to
give her in any matrimonial connection. I be-
lieve he is sensible, certainly very religious, well
connected, and with some independence. There
is an unfortunate dissimilarity of taste between
them in one respect, which gives us some appre-
hensions ; he hates company, and she is very
fond of it ; this, with some queerness of temper
on his side, and much unsteadiness on hers, is
untoward. I hope Edward's family visit to
Chawton will be yearly ; he certainly means it
now, but we must not expect it to exceed two
months in future. I do not think, however, that
he found five too long this summer. He was
very happy there. The new paint improves their
house much, and we find no evil from the smell.
Poor Mr. Trimmer is lately dead, a sad loss to
his family, and occasioning some anxiety to our
brother ; for the present he continues his affairs

249

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

in the son's hands, a matter of great importance
to them. I hope he will have no reason to
remove his business.

* * Your very affectionate sister,

**J. A.

"There is to be a second edition of S. and S.
Egerton advises it."

At the time when this letter was written Charles
was on the Namur, asFlag-Captain to Sir Thomas
Williams. His wife and two small children lived
Y with him on board, an arrangement of somewhat
doubtful advantage. In the published letters of
Jane Austen there are some of the same date as
this one to Frank, written to Cassandra from
Godmersham, and giving an account of the visit
of Charles and family which she was expecting in
October.

'' September 23. — Wrote to Charles yesterday,
and Fanny has had a letter from him to-day,
principally to make inquiries about the time
of their visit here, to which mine was an answer
beforehand ; so he will probably write again soon
to fix his week."

''October 14. — A letter from Wrotham yes-
terday offering an early visit here, and Mr.
and Mrs. Moore and one child are to come on
Monday for ten days. I hope Charles and
Fanny may not fix the same time, but if they

250

Another Letter trom Jane

come at all in October they must. What is the
use of hoping ? The two parties of children is
the chief evil."

** To be sure, here we are ; the very thing has
happened, or rather worse — a letter from Charles
this very morning, which gives us reason to sup-
pose they may come here to-day. It depends
upon the weather, and the weather now is very
fine. No difficulties are made, however, and,
indeed, there will be no want of room ; but I wish
there was no Wigrams and Lushingtons in the
way to fill up the table, and make us such a
motley set. I cannot spare Mr. Lushington
either because of his frank, but Mr. Wigram does
no good to anybody. I cannot imagine how a
man can have the impudence to come into a
family party for three days, where he is quite a
stranger, unless he knows himself to be agreeable
on undoubted authority. I shall be most happy
to see dear Charles."

''Friday, October 15. — They came last night at
about seven. We had given them up, but I still
expected them to come. Dessert was nearly
over ; a better time for arriving than an hour and
a half earlier. They were late because they
did not set out earlier, and did not allow time
enough. Charles did not aim at more than reach-
ing Sittingbourne by three, which could not have
brought them here by dinner-time. They had a

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

very rough passage ; he would not have ventured
if he had known how bad it would be.

" However, here they are, safe and well, just
like their own nice selves, Fanny looking as neat
and white this morning as possible, and dear
Charles all affectionate, placid, quiet, cheerful
good humour. They are both looking well, but
poor little Cassy is grown extremely thin and
looks poorly. I hope a week's country air and
exercise may do her good. I am sorry to say it
can be but a week. The baby does not appear
so large in proportion as she was, nor quite so
pretty, but I have seen very little of her. Cassy
was too tired and bewildered just at first to seem
to know anybody. We met them in the hall, the
women and girl part of us, but before we reached
the library she kissed me very affectionately, and
has since seemed to recollect me in the same way.
It was quite an evening of confusion, as you may
suppose. At first we were all walking about
from one part of the house to the other, then
came a fresh dinner in the breakfast-room for
Charles and his wife, which Fanny and I at-
tended. Then we moved into the library, were
joined by the dining-room people, were intro-
duced, and so forth ; and then we had tea and
coffee, which was not over till past ten. Bil-
liards again drew all the odd ones away, and
Edward, Charles, the two Fannies, and I sat

25^

MRS. CHARLES AUSTEN

Another Letter from Jane

snugly talking. I shall be glad to have our
numbers a little reduced, and by the time you
receive this we shall be only a family, though a
large family, party.

" I talked to Cassy about Chawton (Cassandra
wished to have her there for the winter). She
remembers much, but does not volunteer on the
subject. Papa and mamma have not yet made
up their minds as to parting with her or not ; the
chief, indeed the only difficulty with mamma is a
very reasonable one, the child's being very un-
willing to leave them. When it was mentioned
to her she did not like the idea of it at all. At
the same time she has been suffering so much
lately from sea-sickness that her mamma cannot
bear to have her much on board this winter.
Charles is less inclined to part with her. I
do not know how it will end, or what is to
determine it. He desires best love to you,
and has not written because he has not been
able to decide. They are both very sensible
of your kindness on the occasion. I have
made Charles furnish me with something to say
about young Kendall. He is going on very
well. When he first joined the Namur my
brother did not find him forward enough to be
what they call put in the office, and therefore
placed him under the schoolmaster, and he is
very much improved, and goes into the office

253

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

now every afternoon, still attending school in the
morning."

This is interesting as an example of the way in
which the young men learnt their work as mid-
shipmen.

The domestic sideof Charles' character is always
rather inclined to obtrude itself. Perhaps it was
of him that Jane was thinking when Admiral Croft
sums up James Benwick in the words, '* * An excel-
lent, good-hearted fellow I assure you, a very
active, zealous officer, too, which is more than you
would think for perhaps, for that soft sort of
manner does not do him justice ; " and when later
on she protests against the ''too common idea of
spirit and gentleness being incompatible with each
other." Nevertheless, we have ample proof that
both sisters thought his domesticity somewhat
overdone, though it is hardly fair to quote even
friendly criticism of such an intimate nature. One
sentence from a letter on October i8 gives the hint
of what seems to have been Charles' one defect in
the eyes of his sisters.

*' I think I have just done a good deed — ex-
tracted Charles from his wife and children upstairs,
and made him get ready to go out shooting, and
not keep Mr. Moore waiting any longer."

Before Jane's death in 1817, Charles had oppor-
tunity to show the stuff of which he was made,
and from that time till his death in 1852, under

254

Another Letter from Jane

circumstances which called for great courage and
endurance, he fully realised her best hopes.

The question of Cassy living with her father
and mother on the Namur reminds one of the
discussion in ** Persuasion " as to the comforts of
ladies on board ship.

" The admiral, after taking two or three refresh-
ing turns about the room with his hands behind
him, being called to order by his wife, now came
up to Captain Wentworth, and without any obser-
vation of what he might be interrupting, thinking
only of his own thoughts, began with — * If you
had been a week later at Lisbon, last spring,
Frederick, you would have been asked to give
a passage to Lady Mary Grierson and her
daughters.'

'* * Should I ? I am glad I was not a week later
then.'"

The admiral abused him for his want of gal-
lantry. He defended himself, though professing
that he would never willingly admit any ladies on
board a ship of his, excepting for a ball, or a visit,
which a few hours might comprehend. ** But, if
I know myself," said he, *' this is from no want of
gallantry towards them. It is rather from feeling
how impossible it is, with all one's efforts and all
one's sacrifices, to make the accommodations on
board such as women ought to have. There can
be no want of gallantry, admiral, in rating the

255

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

claims of women to every personal comfort high,
and this is what I do. I hate to hear of women
on board, or to see them on board, and no ship
under my command shall ever convey a family of
ladies anywhere if I can help it' "

This brought his sister upon him.

'* *0h, Frederick! But I cannot believe it of
you. All idle refinement! Women may be as
comfortable on board as in the best house in
England. I believe I have lived as much on board
as most women, and I know nothing superior to the
accommodation of a man-of-war. I declare I have
not a comfort or an indulgence about me, even at
Kellynch Hall ' (with a kind bow to Anne),
* beyond what I always had in most of the ships I
have lived in, and they have been five altogether.'

** * Nothing to the purpose,' replied her brother.
** You were living with your husband, and were the
only woman on board.'

*' * But you, yourself, brought Mrs. Harville, her
sister, her cousin, and the three children round
from Portsmouth to Plymouth. Where was this
superfine, extraordinary sort of gallantry of yours
then?'

" * All merged in my friendship, Sophia. I would
assist any brother officer's wife that I could, and I
would bring anything of Harville's from the world's
end, if he wanted it. But do not imagine that I
did not feel it an evil, in itself.'

256

Another Letter from Jane

" * Depend upon it, they were all perfectly com-
fortable.'

" * I might not like them the better for that,
perhaps. Such a number of women and children
have no right to be comfortable on board.'

*"My dear Frederick, you are talking quite idly.
Pray, what would become of us poor sailors' wives,
who often want to be conveyed to one port or
another, after our husbands, if everybody had
your feelings.'

** * My feelings you see did not prevent
my taking Mrs. Harville and all her family to
Plymouth.'

" * But I hate to hear you talking so like a fine
gentleman, and as if women were all fine ladies,
instead of rational creatures. We none of us
expect to be in smooth water all our days.'

** ' Ah, my dear,' said the Admiral, * when he
has got a wife he will sing a different tune. When
he is married, if we have the good luck to live to
another war, we shall see him do as you and I,
and a great many others, have done. We shall
have him very thankful to anybody that will bring
him his wife.'

** ' Ay, that we shall.'

" 'Now I have done,' cried Captain Wentworth.

When once married people begin to attack me

with — **Oh, you will think very differently when

you are married," I can only say, ** No, I shall

257 R

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

not," and then they say again, ** Yes, you will," and
there is an end of it.'

"He got up and moved away.

" * What a great traveller you must have been,
ma'am,' said Mrs. Musgrove to Mrs. Croft.

" * Pretty well, ma'am, in the fifteen years of my
marriage, though many women have done more.
1 have crossed the Atlantic four times, and have
been once to the East Indies and back again, and
only once ;. besides being in different places about
home : Cork, and Lisbon, and Gibraltar. But I
never went beyond the Straits, and was never in
the West Indies. We do not call Bermuda or
Bahama, you know, the West Indies.'

*' Mrs. Musgrove had not a word to say in dis-
sent : she could not accuse herself of having ever
called them anything in the whole course of her
life.

" ^ And I do assure you, ma'am,' pursued Mrs.
Croft, *that nothing can exceed the accommoda-
tions of a man-of-war. I speak, you know, of the
higher rates. When you come to a frigate, of
course you are more confined ; though any reason-
able woman may be perfectly happy in one of
them ; and I can safely say that the happiest part
of my life has been spent on board a ship. While
we were together, you know, there was nothing to
be feared. Thank God ! I have always been
blessed with excellent health, and no climate dis-

258

Another Letter from Jane

agrees with me. The only time that I ever really
suffered in body and mind, the only time that I
ever fancied myself unwell, or had any ideas of
danger, was the winter that I passed by myself at
Deal, when the Admiral (Captain Croft then) was
in the North Seas. I lived in perpetual fright at
that time, and had all manner of imaginary com-
plaints from not knowing what to do with myself,
or when I should hear from him next ; but as
long as we could be together, nothing ever ailed
me, and I never met with the smallest incon-
venience.'

'' * Ay, to be sure. Yes, indeed, oh yes. I am
quite of your opinion, Mrs. Croft,' was Mrs. Mus-
grove's hearty answer. * There is nothing so bad
as a separation. I am quite of your opinion. I
know what it is, for Mr. Musgrove always attends
the assizes, and I am so glad when they are over,
and he is safe back again,' "

359

CHAPTER XVII
THE END OF THE WAR

In the letter quoted in the last chapter, we hear
how Henry let out the secret of Jane's author-
ship. She has also something to say to Cas-
sandra about the matter. " Lady Robert Kerr
is delighted with P. and P., and really was
so, as I understand, before she knew who wrote
it, for, of course she knows now. He (Henry)
told her with as much satisfaction as if it were my
wish. He did not tell me this, but he told
Fanny." Perhaps the pleasure that she gained in
hearing how people enjoyed her books partly
made up for the annoyance of having her wishes
for secrecy forgotten. She goes on : ''And Mr.
Hastings, I am quite delighted with what such a
man writes about it. Henry sent him the books
after his return from Daylesford, but you will hear
the letter too." This is tantalising for those who
cannot hear the letter too, and still more so when
she adds later on : '* I long to have you hear Mr.
H.'s opinion of P. and P. His admiring my

260

The End of the War

Elizabeth so much is particularly welcome to
me."

The L ,erest of Warren Hastings in the Austen
family was a long-standing one. Hastings' only
son was brought up under the care of Jane's
father and mother at Steventon. When he died,
in early manhood, the grief of Mrs. Austen was
as great as if she had lost one of her own children.
Probably they were entrusted with the care of
this boy through the influence of George Austen's
sister, who was married to Dr. Hancock, of Cal-
cutta, a close friend of Warren Hastings. Their
daughter, Eliza Hancock, after losing her first
husband, a French count, under the guillotine in
the Reign of Terror, married Henry Austen.
She died in 1813, and Henry's loss was a subject
of much concern in the family. We can see this
from Jane's letters at the time to Cassandra, and
in the one to Frank quoted at length in the last
chapter, where she expresses her belief that
Henry's mind is not ** a mind for affliction."

Frank got home from the Baltic early in 18 14.
We hear of him in June trying to arrange for a
visit to his mother. Jane writes : ** I heard
yesterday from Frank. When he began his letter
he hoped to be here on Monday, but before it
was ended he had been told that the naval review
would not take place till Friday, which would
probably occasion him some delay, as he cannot

261

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

get some necessary business of his own attended
to while Portsmouth is in such a bustle." Her
books seem to have become more and more of a
family interest. Mentions of them come in con-
stantly in the midst of all the family gossip.
*' Sweet amiable Frank, why does he have a cold
too ? Like Captain Mirvan to Mr. Duval. * I
wish it well over with him.' Thank you very
much for the sight of dearest Charles's letter to
yourself. How pleasant and naturally he writes,
and how perfect a picture of his disposition and
feeling his style conveys ! Poor fellow ! Not a
present ! I have a great mind to send him all the
twelve copies (of " Emma"), which were to have
been dispersed among my near connections, begin-
ning with the Prince Regent and ending with
Countess Morley." The mention of Miss Burney's
** Evelina" is characteristic. It was one of her
favourite books.

On Frank's return he naturally wishes to settle
somewhere with his wife and family after so many
years afloat, but he did not at once find the sort
of home he wanted. He occupied Chawton
Great House for a few years, but this was only a
temporary arrangement. It must be one of the
chief pleasures of a novelist to bestow upon her
characters all the blessings which she would like
to portion out to her friends. Perhaps it was
something of this feeling which induced Jane to

262

The End of the War

draw the ideal home of a naval man in " Per-
suasion." Certainly in tastes and feelings there V'
is much similarity between Harville and Frank
Austen.

" Captain Harville had taken his present house
for half a year ; his taste, and his health, and his
fortune, all directing him to a residence unex-
pensive, and by the sea ; and the grandeur of the
country, and the retirement of Lyme in the
winter, appeared exactly adapted to ; Captain
Benwick's state of mind. Nothing could be more
pleasant than their desire of considering the whole
party as friends of their own, because the friends
of Captain Wentworth, or more kindly hospitable
than their entreaties for their all promising to dine
with them. The dinner, already ordered at the
inn, was at last, though unwillingly, accepted as
an excuse, but they seemed almost hurt that
Captain Wentworth should have brought such a
party to Lyme, without considering it as a thing
of course that they should dine with them.

** There was so much attachment to Captain
Wentworth in all this, and such a bewitching
charm in a degree of hospitality so uncommon, so
unlike the usual style of give-and-take invitations,
and dinners of formality and display, that Anne
felt her spirits not likely to be benefited by an
increasing acquaintance among his brother officers.
* These would all have been my friends,' was her

263

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

thought, and she had to struggle against a great
tendency to lowness.

** On quitting the Cobb they all went indoors
with their new friends, and found rooms so small
as none but those who invite from the heart could
think capable of accommodating so many. Anne
had a moment's astonishment on the subject
herself, but it was soon lost in the pleasant feelings
which sprang from the sight of all the ingenious
contrivances and nice arrangements of Captain
Harville to turn the actual space to the best pos-
sible account, to supply the deficiencies of lodging-
house furniture, and defend the windows and doors
against the winter storms to be expected. The
varieties in the fitting up of the rooms, where the
common necessaries provided by the owner, in
the common indifferent plight, were contrasted
with some few articles of a rare species of wood,
excellently worked up, and with something
curious and valuable from all the distant countries
Captain Harville had visited, were more than
amusing to Anne ; connected as it all was with
his profession, the fruit of its labours, the effect
of its influence on his habits, the picture of repose
and domestic happiness it presented, made it to
her a something more or less than gratification.

** Captain Harville was no reader; but he had
contrived excellent accommodations, and fashioned
very pretty shelves, for a tolerable collection of

264

The End of the War

well-bound volumes, the property of Captain
Benwick. His lameness prevented him from
taking much exercise ; but a mind of usefulness
and ingenuity seemed to furnish him with constant
employment within. He drew, he varnished, he
carpentered, he glued ; he made toys for the
children ; he fashioned new netting-needles and
pins with improvements ; and if everything else
was done, sat down to his large fishing-net at
one corner of the room.

" Anne thought she left great happiness behind
her when they quitted the house ; and Louisa,
by whom she found herself walking, burst forth
into raptures of admiration and delight on the
character of the Navy, their friendliness, their
brotherliness, their openness, their uprightness ;
protesting that she was convinced of sailors having
more worth and warmth than any other set of
men in England ; that they only knew how to live,
and they only deserved to be respected and
loved."

No one reading ** Persuasion " could doubt that,
ready as Jane always was to laugh at absurdities
of fashion, yet the national enthusiasm for the
Navy had not failed to touch her heart any
more that it had missed her sense of humour.
Trying as Louisa's encomium must have been to
Anne, with her mind full of regrets over her
broken engagement with Captain Wentworth, it

265

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

was the Inward agreement of her mind with this
admiration for simplicity and affection which gave
her the worst pain. The nation had passed
through a crisis, and after the stress of war, the
happy family life was the one thing admirable.

Captain Charles Austen had spent ten years on
active service, outside the theatre of hostilities,
but now he was brought into closer touch during
the confusion caused by the escape of Napoleon
from Elba. The Phoenix frigate under his com-
mand was sent with the Undatmted and the
Garland in pursuit of a Neapolitan squadron
cruising in the Adriatic. Since 1808 Naples
had been under the rule of Murat, Napoleon's
brother-in-law. It was, therefore, Murat's flag
which was attacked by the British men-of-war.

Joachim Murat's history is a curiously romantic
one. As his dealings with Napoleon created the
situation in Naples which called for British inter-
ference, it will not be a digression to give some
account of him. His origin was a low one, and it
was chiefly as the husband of Napoleon's sister
Caroline that he came to the front. As a soldier
his talents were great, but he was no diplomatist,
and too impetuous and unstable to be successful.
He fought under Napoleon in most of the cam-
paigns from Marengo to Leipzig, and first entered
Naples as the victorious general of the French
army. In 1808, at a time when Napoleon was

266

CAPTAIN CHARLES AUSTEN, C. B.

The End of the War

giving away kingdoms, Joseph Bonaparte, the
King of Naples, was awarded the somewhat empty
and unsatisfactory honour of the kingdom of
Spain ; and at the same time, to take his place,
Murat was raised to the dignity of *^ King of the
Two Sicilies." The Bourbon King Ferdinand,
who bore the same title, had been maintained in
power in the island of Sicily by the British fleet
ever since Nelson's time. Murat's great idea was
the unity of Italy, under himself as King, and he
perhaps had hopes that Napoleon would support
him. At all events, he was loyal to the Emperor
until 1811, when he went to Paris for the baptism
of Napoleon's son, but came away before the
ceremony on learning that the infant was to be
*' King of Rome." He dismissed his French
troops, and resolved to govern without reference
to Napoleon. Unable, however, to resist a call to
arms from his former chief, in 181 2 he went to
Russia in command of the heavy cavalry, and was
the first to cross the frontier. He went twenty
leagues beyond Moscow, and finally left the army
on the retreat at the Oder. He handed over the
command to Eugene Beauharnais, and returned to
Naples.

Among others who saw that Napoleon's power
was on the wane, Murat now turned against him,
and proposed, through Lord William Bentinck at
Palermo, a treaty of peace with England, on

267

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

the basis of the unification of Italy under his own
sovereignty. This agreement was made, and
needed only the formal consent of the British
Government, when Murat suddenly threw it all
over, and at Napoleon's bidding went off to fight
for him in the campaign of 1813 at Dresden and
Leipzig. On his return, however, the King again
began his negotiations with the allies,and arranged
a treaty with Austria. The Congress of Vienna
debated the question of allowing him to remain
King. As matters stood, it was difficult to find a
reason for turning him out, as he now appeared
to have definitely abandoned the Emperor s cause.
But, naturally, it was impossible to repose much
confidence In his assertions. He himself seems
scarcely to have known his own mind, and was
ready to ally himself with either side. If by that
means he could secure his heart's desire of the
kingdom of Italy. His wife cared more for her
brother's cause than for her husband's, but Joachim
trusted her completely. They had for long kept
up the appearance of disagreement, in order to
collect round them the leaders of all parties ; and
now when the dissension was real, he hardly
realised how little her sympathies were with him.
It seems not unlikely that England and Austria
would have trusted him, and allowed him to
retain his throne, as, on the whole, he had
governed well ; but he himself decided the ques-

268

The End of the War

tion in a characteristic way. He had tidings of
Napoleon's projected escape from Elba, and
espoused his cause. The kingdom of the Two
Sicilies was thereupon attacked by the allies,
and before Waterloo was fought the Bourbon
King Ferdinand was reinstated at Naples under
the protection of the fleets. Queen Caroline,
Murat's wife, was escorted by British sailors from
the palace. The ship bearing her away passed
another British ship, which brought Ferdinand
back to his capital.

The city of Naples had surrendered, but
Brindisi still held out. It was here that Charles
Austen was employed in blockading the port as
Captain of the Phoenix, with the Garland under
his orders. After a short time negotiations were
begun, and, without much serious fighting, he
induced the garrison of the castle and the com-
manders of the two frigates in the port to hoist the
white flag of the Bourbons, in place of the crim-
son and white on a blue ground which Joachim
Murat had adopted. It is a matter of history
how Murat, with a few followers, attempted to set
up this flag again a few months later in Calabria,
but was taken prisoner and shot. It is evident
that his estrangement from Napoleon originated
with the title of '* King of Rome " being conferred
on the boy born in 1811 — a clear indication that
the Emperor was no party to his schemes of

269

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

uniting Italy. Whether or not the change of
monarchs was a good one for the Neapolitan
people, the restored kingdom of the Two Sicilies
lasted until Garibaldi caused its complete collapse
in i860, and accomplished Murat's ideal for Italy.

After this episode Captain Charles Austen was
kept busy with Greek pirates in the Archipelago
until the Phoenix was lost off Smyrna in 18 16.
He then returned to England.

There is an extract from one of his letters to
Jane at this time, dated May 6, 181 5, from
Palermo, which shows something of the degree of
popularity which her books had then attained.
** Books became the subject of conversation, and
I praised ' Waverley ' highly, when a young man
present observed that nothing had come out for
years to be compared with * Pride and Prejudice,'
* Sense and Sensibility,' &c. As I am sure you
must be anxious to know the name of a person of
so much taste, I shall tell you it is Fox, a nephew
of the late Charles James Fox. That you may
not be too much elated at this morsel of praise, I
shall add that he did not appear to like * Mans-
field Park' so well as the two first, in which,
however, I believe he is singular."

Early in 18 16 Jane's health began to fail, and
she grew gradually weaker until she died, in July
18 1 7. There is a letter from her to Charles,
dated from Chawton on April 6, 181 7, which is

270

, •> ', J > J J

I I . ' I i ' ^

•^

The End of the War

inscribed in his handwriting, " My last letter
from dearest Jane." It is full of courage, even
through its weariness. Most of it relates to
purely family matters, but the tenor of it all is
the same — that of patient cheerfulness :

** My dearest Charles, — Many thanks for
your affectionate letter. I was in your debt
before, but I have really been too unwell the last
fortnight to write anything that was not abso-
lutely necessary. . . . There was no standing
Mrs. Cooke's affectionate way of speaking of
your countenance, after her seeing you. God
bless you all. Conclude me to be going on well,
if you hear nothing to the contrary.

** Yours ever truly,

*'J. A.

" Tell dear Harriet that whenever she wants
me in her service again she must send a Hackney
Chariot all the way for me, for I am not strong
enough to travel any other way, and I hope
Cassy will take care that it is a green one."

Both Francis and Charles Austen were at
home at the time of Jane's death in 1817.
In the May before she died she was prevailed
upon to go to Winchester, to be under the
care of Mr. Lyford, a favourite doctor in that
part. She and Cassandra lived in College Street.

271

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

She had always been fond of Winchester — in the
true **Jane Austen spirit," partly because her
nephews were at school there — and her keen in-
terest in her surroundings did not desert her even
now, when she, and all around her, knew that
she was dying. A set of verses, written only
three days before her death, though of no great
merit in themselves, have a value quite their own
in showing that her unselfish courage and cheer-
fulness never failed her. Only a few hours after
writing them she had a turn for the worse, and
died early on the morning of July i8.

"Winchester, /«/y 15, 1817.

" When Winchester races first took their beginning
'Tis said that the people forgot their old saint,
That they never applied for the leave of St. Swithun,
And that William of Wykeham's approval was faint.

" The races however were fixed and determined,

The company met, and the weather was charming ;
The lords and the ladies were satined and ermined,
And nobody saw any future alarming.

" But when the old saint was informed of their doings,
He made but one spring from his shrine to the roof
Of the palace that now stands so sadly in ruins,
And thus he addressed them, all standing aloof:

"* Oh, subject rebellious ! Oh, Venta depraved !
When once we are buried you think we are dead ;
But behold me immortal — by vice you're enslaved,
You have sinned, and must suffer,' then further he said —
272

The End of the War

" ' These races, and revels, and dissolute measures.
With which you're debasing a neighbouring plain ;
Let them stand — you shall meet with a curse in your pleasures.
Set oif for your course. I'll pursue with my rain.

" * You cannot but know my command o'er July ;

Thenceforward I'll triumph in showing my powers ;
Shift your race as you will, it shall never be dry.
The curse upon Venta is July in showers.' "

273

CHAPTER XVIII

TWO ADMIRALS

We have shown, so far as is possible, the influ-
ence that the lives of her two sailor brothers had
upon the writings of Jane Austen. It now only
remains to show how both of them, in their
different ways, fulfilled her hopes for them. This
can be best done by a brief summary of the chief
events in their careers. At the time of her death
they were men on either side of forty. Francis
lived to be ninety-one, and Charles to be seventy-
three, so both had many more years of activity
and service before them.

In 1826 Charles was again on the West Indies
station. Here he stayed for more than two
years, and was chiefly employed in suppressing
the slave-trade. He was always very happy in
the management of crews. It was partly owing
to his more than usual care in this respect while
stationed here on board the Aurora, and partly
to his general activity as second in command,
that he gained his appointment as Flag-Captain to

274

Two Admirals

Admiral Colpoys in the Winchester on the same
station in 1828. He was invalided home in 1830,
as the result of a severe accident. This prevented
him from being again employed until 1838, when
he was appointed to the Bellerophon, still only a
Captain after nearly thirty years' service in that
rank.

Some years before this, Mehemet Ali, Pasha of
Egypt, had conquered Syria from his Suzerain,
the Sultan, and now wished to declare himself
independent, thereby coming into collision with
the traditional policy of England and France in
the Levant. In 1840 Admiral Stopford's fleet
was sent to the coast of Syria to interfere with
communications between the Pasha s army and
Egypt. Charles Austen in the Belleropkon
(called by the seamen the ** Billy Ruffian'^) took
part in the bombardment of the Beyrout forts,
and afterwards was stationed in one of the neigh-
bouring bays, guarding the entrance of the pass
by which Commodore Sir Charles Napier had ad-
vanced up the Lebanon to attack Ibrahim Pasha
and the Egyptians. In Napier's words : ** It was
rather a new occurrence for a British Commodore
to be on the top of Mount Lebanon commanding a
Turkish army, and preparing to fight a battle
which should decide the fate of Syria." He won
the battle and returned to the Powerful, with some
reluctance, making way for Colonel Smith, who

275

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

was appointed by the Sultan to command his
forces in Syria.

The Admiral and Colonel Smith shortly after-
wards decided on capturing Acre, the chief strong-
hold now remaining in the Egyptian occupation.

In a letter to Lord Palmerston, Colonel Smith
describes the action : ** On October 26 it was
finally determined between Sir Robert Stopford
and myself that the siege of Acre should be
undertaken. Owing to the light winds the ships
did not get into action till 2 p.m. on November 3,
when an animated fire commenced, and was
maintained without intermission until darkness
closed the operations of the day. About three
hours later the Governor, with a portion of the
garrison, quitted the town, which was taken pos-
session of by the allied troops at daylight the
following morning. The moral influence on the
cause in which we are engaged that will result
from its surrender is incalculable. During the
bombardment the principal magazine and the
whole arsenal blew up."

There is an extract from Charles Austen's
journal, which also gives a slight account of the
bombardment :

" 9 A.M. — Received a note from the Admiral
(Stopford) telling me the Powerful (Commodore
Napier) was to lead into action, followed by
Princess Charlotte (flag), Bellerophon and Thun-

276

Two Admirals

derer, who were all to lay against the Western
Wall.

''Later. — Working up to the attack with light
airs.

'* 11.30.— Piped to dinner.

**i P.M. — Bore up to our station, passing outside
the shoal to the south, and then to the westward
again inside.

" 2.30. — Anchored astern of the Princess
Charlotte, and abreast of the Western Castle, and
immediately commenced firing, which the enemy
returned, but they fired high, and only two shots
hulled us, hitting no one.

** At sunset., — Admiral signalled * Cease firing,'
up boats, and then piped to supper, and sat
down with the two boys to a cold fowl, which we
enjoyed much.

''At 9 P.M. — A dish of tea, then gave my night
orders and turned in."

The "two boys" were his two sons, Charles
and Henry, who were serving under him.

There is a further account of a difficulty with
Commodore Napier, who had a firm belief in his
own judgment, which made obedience to orders
something of a trial to him. Napier, who was
" as usual a law unto himself," disobeyed the
Admiral's signals, and, when reprimanded, de-
manded a court-martial, which was refused. The
journal then relates that Captain Austen, with two

277

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

other captains, went on board the Powerful to
endeavour to persuade the Commodore to climb
down, ** but the old Commodore was stubborn,
and we returned to our ships." However, a second
visit to the Commodore in the afternoon appears
to have been more successful, and *' I left hoping
the affair would be settled," which it was. The
result of this bombardment was altogether satis-
factory, though some of the ships suffered con-
siderably from the Egyptian firing. Charles was
awarded a Companionship of the Bath for his
share in this campaign.

In 1846 he became Rear-Admiral, and in 1850
was appointed Commander-in-Chief on the East
India Station.

He left England in the P. & O. steamer Rip on
for Alexandria, and crossed the desert to Suez,
as was usual in the overland route. The descrip-
tion of the mode of travelling by vans, and the
selection of places therein by lot, has often been
made.

Lord Dalhousie, as Governor-General at Cal-
cutta, had taken steps to protect British traders
from the exactions of the Burmese officials at
Rangoon by sending a Commission of Inquiry,
with power to demand reparation. The Com-
missioner (Commodore Lambert) decided to treat
only with the King of Ava, who consented, in
January 1852, to remove the Governor from

278

REAR-ADMIRAL CHARLES AUSTEN, C B.

Two Admirals

Rangoon. This action did not, however, prove
effectual in settling the grievances, and Com-
modore Lambert declared the Burmese coast in a
state of blockade ; his vessel was fired upon, and
he retaliated by destroying a stockade on the
river-bank, and some Burmese war-boats. Shortly
afterwards he received orders to forward to the
King a despatch of Lord Dalhousie's, demanding
apology and an indemnity. The same vessel
again went up the river with the despatch, and
was attacked by the Burmese. The Governor-
General thereupon ordered a combined military
and naval expedition, which was on the coast by
the end of March. This was to be the last of
Charles Austen's many enterprises. He shifted
his flag from the Hastings to the steam sloop
Rattler at Trincomalee in Ceylon, and proceeded
to the mouth of the Rangoon river. On April 3,
accompanied by two ships and the necessary
troops, he was on his way to Martaban, which
they attacked and captured on the 5th. The
place was held by 5000 men ; but after a bom-
bardment of an hour and a half it was taken by
storm with small loss.

On the 10th began a general combined move-
ment on Rangoon, which fell on the 14th, the
Rattler taking a leading part in attacking the out-
lying stockades. The large stockade round the
town and the pagoda was carried at the point of

279

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

the bayonet. The navy suffered but little loss
from the enemy ; but cholera set in, and the
Admiral fell 111. He was persuaded by the doc-
tors to leave the river, as all active proceedings
of the expedition had ceased for the time. He
went to Calcutta, where, through the kind hospi-
tality of the Governor-General, he gradually
recovered his health. Rangoon, with its wonder-
ful solid pagoda, and all Its Buddhist traditions,
was now in British hands; but the Burmese
Government were bent on recapturing It, for cer-
tain royal offerings to the shrine were among the
conditions of the King's tenure of his throne.
The war was therefore continued, and It was
decided to penetrate further up the river, and with
a yet stronger force. Admiral Austen thereupon
returned to duty. On arrival at Rangoon In the
Hastings he transferred his flag to the steam sloop
Pluto, and went up the river on a reconnaissance,
in advance of the combined forces. The main
body proceeded direct to Henzada, by the princi-
pal channel of the IrrawadI, while the contingent
following the Pluto was delayed by the resistance
of the Burmese leader at Donabyu. It became
necessary for the main body to make for this point
also, while Admiral Austen was by this time much
further north, at Prome. He was anxiously
awaiting their arrival, while his health grew
worse during the two or three weeks spent in this

280

Two Admirals

unhealthy region. On October 6, his last notes at
Prome are as follows: "Received a report that
two steamers had been seen at anchor some miles
below, wrote this and a letter to my wife, and
read the lessons of the day." On the following
morning he died. The Burmese leader was also
killed during the assault, which took place at
Donabyu not long afterwards, and his army then
retreated. The British battalions were eventually
quartered on the hill above Prome, overlooking
the wide river, not far from Lord Dalhousie's new
frontier of Lower Burmah. Now thick jungle
covers alike the camp and the site of the fort of
Donabyu (White Peacock Town), for Upper
Burmah is British too, and there is no king to
make offerings at the Rangoon shrine.

The death of Charles was a heavy blow to
Francis. The only other survivor of all his bro-
thers and sisters, Edward Knight, ofGodmersham
and Chawton, died at about the same time ;
but Francis had still thirteen years of life
before him. To realise what his life had been
we must return to the close of the long war, when
he came on shore from the Elephant^ and was not
called upon to go to sea again for thirty years.
It is easy to imagine the changes that had taken
place in the Navy in the interval between his times
of active service.

During these years on shore several honours

a8i

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

fell to his share. He had been awarded his C.B.
in 1815, on the institution of that distinc-
tion. In 1825 he was appointed Colonel of
Marines, and in 1830 Rear- Admiral. About the
same time he purchased Portsdown Lodge,
where he lived for the rest of his Hfe. This
property is now included within the lines of
forts for the defence of Portsmouth, and was
bought for that purpose by the Government some
years before his death. At the last investiture by
King William IV. in 1837 he received the
honour of K.C.B. ; and the next year, on the
occasion of Queen Victoria's Coronation, he was
promoted to the rank of Vice- Admiral. In 1845
he took command of the North American and
West Indies Station. This command in the
Vindictive forms a notable contrast to his earlier
experiences in the West Indies. How often he
must have called to mind as he visited Barbadoes,
Jamaica, or Antigua, the excitements of the
Canopus cruises of forty years ago ! How differ-
ent too the surroundings had become with the
regular English mail service, and the paddle-wheel
sloops of war in place of brigs such as the Curieux
— and, greatest change of all, no such urgent ser-
vices to be performed as that of warning England
against the approach of an enemy's fleet !

Nevertheless, there was plenty to be done. The
Naval Commander-in-Chief has no easy berth,

282

Two Admirals

even in time of peace. His letters tell us of some
of the toils which fell to his share.

" Our passage from Bermuda was somewhat
tedious ; we left it on February 6, called oft
Antigua on the 15th, and, without anchoring the
ship, I landed for an hour to inspect the naval
yard," rather an exertion in the tropics, for a man
of seventy-three. A voyage to La Guayra fol-
lows. It appears that Venezuela was giving as
much trouble in 1848 as in 1900.

*' A political question is going on between the
Government of Caraccas and our Charge d'affaires,
and a British force is wanted to give weight to our
arguments. I am afraid it will detain us a good
while, as I also hear that there is a demand for a
ship-of-war to protect property from apprehended
outrage in consequence of a revolutionary insur-
rection."

We find that the Vindictive was at Jamaica within
a fortnight or so. It would appear that the
Government of the Caraccas (legitimate or revo-
lutionary) was quickly convinced by the weight of
the arguments of a 50-gun ship.

The following general memorandum may be
interesting with reference to the expedition
against Grey town, Nicaragua.

*' The Vice- Admiral Commander-in-Chief has
much gratification in signifying to the squadron
the high sense he entertains of the gallantry and

283

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

good conduct of Captain Loch, of her Majesty's
ship Alarm, and of every officer and man of her
Majesty's ships Alarm and Vixeii, and of the
officers and soldiers of her Majesty's 28th Regi-
ment, employed under his orders on the expedi-
tion up the river St. Juan, and especially for the
cool and steady intrepidity evinced while under a
galling fire from a nearly invisible enemy on the
morning of February 12, and the irresistible
bravery with which the works of Serapagui were
stormed and carried. The result has been an
additional proof that valour, when well directed
and regulated by discipline, will never fail in
effecting its object."

There are also notes about the Mexican and
United States War then in progress, and instruc-
tions to treat Mexican privateers severely if they
interfered with neutral craft. Strong measures
were also to be enforced against slave-traders,
who still sailed under Brazilian and Portuguese
flags, but were now reprobated by international
treaties generally.

In May 1848 the Vindictive was met by Vice-
Admiral the Earl of Dundonald in the Wellesley,
Lord Dundonald was to take over the command
from Sir Francis. We have no record of any
meeting between these two officers since the days
when Lord Cochrane in the Speedy and Captain
Austen in the Peterel were in the Mediterranean

284

SIR FRANCIS AUSTEN, G.C.B., ADMIRAL OF THE FLEET

Two Admirals

together, almost half a century earlier. Sir
Francis' letters mention with pleasure the desire
on the part of his successor to continue matters
on the same lines.

His return to England was coincident with
promotion to the rank of Admiral. In 1854, at
the outbreak of the Crimean War, the Portsmouth
command was declined as too onerous for an
octogenarian.

In i860 Sir Francis received the G.C.B., and
in 1862 the successive honours of Rear- Admiral
and Vice-Admiral of the United Kingdom, fol-
lowed in 1863 by promotion to the senior position
in the British Navy as Admiral of the Fleet.

"The Admiralty, April 27, 1863.

** Sir, — I am happy to acquaint you that I have
had the pleasure of bringing your name before
the Queen for promotion to Admiral of the Fleet,
and that her Majesty has been graciously pleased
to approve of the appointment * as a well-
deserved reward for your brilliant services.'
** I am, Sir, your most obedient servant,

** Somerset."

From the year 1858 Sir Francis had become
gradually less able to move about. He retained
all his faculties and his ability to write, almost as

^85

Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

clearly as ever, until just before his death in
August 1865.

The strong sense of justice, manifest in his
rigid adherence to discipline as a young man, was
tempered later in life by his love for children and
grandchildren, constant through so many years.

Of both Jane Austen's brothers it may be said
that they were worthy members of that profes-
sion which is, '* if possible, more distinguished
for its domestic virtues than for its national
importance.'*

286

INDEX

Acasta, 167, 170, 174, 177

Acre, siege of, 58, 59 ; bombardment
of, 276

Agamemnon, 165, 167, 174

Ajax, 162

Alarm, 284

V Alexandre, 167,172, 173, 178

Alfred, 201

Algeciras, 53, 91

Amazon, 135, 141

Amethyst, 167

Amiens, peace of, 112

Amphion, 135, 141

Anholt, Island of, 228, 229

Anstruther, Brigadier-General, 199-
203

Arethtisa, 167

Atlas, 174

Aurora, 81 ; under Charles Austen,
36, 274

Austen, Cassandra, bringing up, 10-
12 ; letters from Jane, 42, 43, 48,
49. SO, SI. 52. 95-104, 107, 109,
180-203, 204-208, 210, 250

Austen, Charles, bringing up, ii ;
education, 15 ; midshipman, 21 ;
in Dcedalus, 23 ; in Utticom, 23 ;
in Endymion, 23 ; as lieutenant in
Scorpion, 45 ; in Tamar, 48, 52 ;
in Endymioji, 48, 53, 91, 109 ;
prizes, 91 ; return home in 1800,
95 ; reappouitment to Endymion ,
122 ; appointment to Indian as
Commander, 122 ; on North
American station, 205-210 ; mar-
riage, 207 ; capture of La Jeune
Estelle, 207 ; promotion to post
rank, 207 ; in Swiftsure, 207 ;
letter to Jane, 209; in Cleopatra,

210 ; home-coming in 1811, 210 ;
in Namur, 211 ; his children at
Chawton, 236 ; visit to Godmers-
ham, 250 -253 ; in Phcenix, 266 ;
letter to Jane about her books, 270;
last letter from Jane, 271 ; on West
Indies station, 274; in Aurora,
274 ; in Winchester, 275 ; in Bel-
lerophon, 275 ; awarded C.B., 278;
Rear-Admiral, 278 ; Commander-
in-Chief on East India station, 278 ;
in Second Burmese War, 278 ;
in Hastings, 278 ; in Pluto, 281 ;
death in 1852, 281

Austen, Edward, afterwards Knight,
43 ; death of wife, 204 ; at Chaw-
ton, 234 ; at Godmersham, 244-
249 ; death in 1852, 281

Austen, Francis William, bringing
up, II ; education, 15 ; letter from
his father, 17-20; midshipman in
Perseverance, Crown and Minerva^
16, 23 ; lieutenant, 28 ; in Sea-
horse, 45, 57; in LoJ^don, 29, 45,
S7 ; in Glory, 29 ; in Lark, 41 ; ap-
pointed to Triton, 44 ; to Petcrel
as Commander, 48-51 ; letter to
Nelson, 63 ; capture of La Ligu-
rienne, 83-86 ; promotion to post
rank, 86,107, m I return home in
1801, io8; appointed to Neptune
as Flag-captain to Admiral Gam-
bier, III ; at Ramsgate, 112-114;
engagement, 113 ; appointed to
Leopard, 115; letters from Jane,
125, 127, 129, 233, 243 ; appointed
to Canopus, 124 ; chase to West
Indies, 130-146; letters to Mary
Gibson, 148-161, 174-176 ; after

289

Index

Trafalgar, 162; meeting with Ville-
neuve, 159 ; wish for a frigate,
160, 164, 185 ; in action of St.
Domingo, 164-179 ; marriage, 181 ;
appointed to SL Aldafis, 186; at
Simon's Bay, 186-190 ; at St. He-
lena, 191-193 ; returnhome in 1807,
194 ; at Penang, 212-218 ; at Can-
ton, 219-223 ; dealings;with Viceroy
of Canton, 210-223 : appointed to
Caledonia, 225 ; to Elephant, 226 ;
at Chawton Great house, 262 ;
awarded C. B. , 282 ; Colonel of
Marines, 282 ; Rear-Admiral, 282 ;
at Fortsdown Lodge, 282 ; K.C.B.,
282 ; Vice-Admiral, 282 ; on North
American and West Indian station,
282 ; appointed to Vindictive, 282 ;
meeting with Dundonald, 284; Ad-
miral, 285 ; G.C.B., 285 ; Rear-
Admiral of the United Kingdom,
285 ; Vice-Admiral of the United
Kingdom, 285 ; Admiral of the
Fleet. 285 ; death in 1865, 286

Austen, the Reverend George, 8 ;
letter to Francis, 16-20 ; death,
125-129

Austen, Henry, 9 ; death of Mrs.
Henry Austen, 235, 261 ; visit from
Jane, 245 ; pride in Jane's books,
248, 260

Austen, the Reverend James, 97,
126

Austen, Jane, bringing up, 10-12 ;
letters to Cassandra, see Cassandra
Austen ; letters to Francis, 125, 127,
129, 233, 243 ; on Sir John Moore,
203 ; failing health, 270 ; letter to
Charles, 271 ; death in 1817, 271 ;
verses written in last illness, 272

Austen, Mrs., 9, 10, 126, 128

Austen, Colonel Thomas, 238

Austerlitz, battle of, 116

Ava, King of, 278

Bacchante, captured by Endymion,

122
Balgonie, Lord, 124
Ballast, shingle, 119 ; iron, 120
Barham, Lord, 140, 141
Battle of the Nile, 58, 130
Bayeux tapestry, 115
Baynton, Captain H. W., 132
Belleisle, 132, 135, 158
Bellerophon, 45, 158, 275-278
Bentinck, Lord William, at Palermo,

267

Bernadotte, Crown Prince of Sweden,
231. 233

Berthier, General, 200

Bertie, Admiral, 183

Bettesworth, Captain, 139, 140

Bickerton, Sir Richard, 132

Blackwood, Captain, 149

Blight, Captain, 202

Blockades, " Naval Chronicle " on,
116; Dr. Fitchett on, 117; Nelson
on, 118

Bonaparte, Napoleon, departure for
East, 58 ; in Egypt, 59 ; attacks
Acre, 59 ; return from East, 78 ; as
First Consul in Italian campaign,
87-90 [see under Napoleon)

Bonaparte, Jerome, 173-174

Bonaparte, Joseph, 196, 267

Boulogne, notes on, 120-122

Boulogne flotilla, 115

Bowen, Dr., 125, 128

Boyle, Captain Courtenay, 103, 104

le Brave, 169

Bridges, Edward, 247

Bridport, Lord, 57, 59, 60

Brindisi blockaded, 269

Bruix, Admiral, 59-66

Burmese War, Second, 23, 278-281

Burney, Fanny, 184, 262

Burrard, Sir Harry, 197

Cadiz, blockades of, 29, 147

Calder, Admiral Sir Robert, 140, 142,
144, 145, 153

Caledonia, Francis Austen on, 225

Canopus, Francis Austen appointed
to, 124 ; captured from French
Navy, 130 ; part taken in pursuit of
Villeneuve, 130-140 ; blockading
Cadiz, 147 ; in action of St. Domingo,
165, 167, 174

Canton, 219, 223 ; Francis Austen's
dealings with Viceroy, 219-223

Capitan Pacha, 103, 104

Caroline of Brunswick, Princess, 41

Centaur, 73, 80, 138

Cheminant, M., 139

Cintra, Convention of, 198

Cleopatra, Charles Austen in, 210

Cochrane, Admiral, 169

CoUingwood, Admiral, 143, 159

Convoying, incidents in, 149-152, 194,
221-228

Conqueror, 132, 135

Cornwallis, Admiral, 23, 140, 142

Courageuse, 80, 86, 87

Crown, 16, 23

290

Index

Culloden, 45, 87

le Curieux, 138, 139, 140, 142

Dcedalus, 23

Dalhousie, Lord, 278

Dalrymple, General Sir Hew, 197

Defence, 45

Defiance, 199, 201

Desertions, 36, 169

Despatch boats, insecurity of, 90

Donabyu, 281

Donegal, 132, 135, 143, 165, 167, 168,

D'Ott, Baron, 86, 89

Duckworth, Commodore, 61 ; after-
wards Sir John, 165 (at St.
Domingo)

Dundonald, Lord, meeting with Fran-
cis Austen at Bermuda, 284

Durham, Captain, 91, 109

Elephant, Francis Austen appointed

to, 226 ; in the Baltic, 228
Emerald, 78, 80
" Emma," wedding in, 182
Endymion, 23, 48, 53 ; captures, 91 ;

Charles Austen re-appointed to, 122,

149
Epervier, 174, 177
Euryalus, 143, 149, 159, 160, 162

Ferdinand, King of the Two Sicilies,

267-269
Fox, nephew of Charles James Fox on

Jane Austen's works, 270
le. Franklin, 130
Frigate, Francis Austen's wish for, 160,

164, 185
la Furie, captured by Endymion, 91

Gambier, Admiral, 48, 49, 51 ; Fran-
cis Austen Flag-captain to, iii,
225

Ganteaume, Admiral, ii6, 131

Garland, 266, 268

Germes, 98-103

Gibbs, Dr., 126, 128

Gibson, Mary, 143 ; letters to, 148-
161, 174-176 ; marriage, i8i

Glory, 29

Goliath, 45, 64

•• Grand Army of England," 115

Gtiillaume Tell, 86, 90

Halcyon, 143

Hallowell, Captain Benjamin, 132

Hancock, Dr., 261

Hardy, Captain Thomas, 132
Hargood, Captain William, 132
Hastings, Warren, 260, 261
Hastings^ 279
Hermes, "zor/
Hoppo, the, 220
Hotham, Captain, 201
Hyena, 6i, 62

V Imperial e^ 172

Indian, Charles Austen in command

of, 122, 205-210
Inglis, Captain, 105
Italy, Unity of, 266-270

JouBERT, General, 81, 82
Junot, General, 197
Jupiter, 41

Keats, Captain R. G., 132

Keith, Admiral Lord, in command
in the Mediterranean, 65-79 ; con-
ference with Baron d'Ott, 89

Kellerman, General, 200

Kerr, Lady Robert, her opinion of
"Pride and Prejudice," 248, 250

Kingfisher, 169,174

KnatchbuU, Mr., 211, 247

Knight, Edward [see Edward Austen)

Krakatoa Island, 225

Ladrones, 219

Lambert, Commodore, 278, 279

Lark, 41

La Legbre, 21

Leigh Perrot, Mrs., 236

Leigh, Thomas, 236

Leipzig, battle of, 232, 266

Leopard, 32 ; Francis Austen ap-
pointed to, 115 ; at Boulogne, 115,
122

Leven, Lord and Lady, 133

Leviathan, 72, 132, 135, 143, 162

la Liguriejine captured by Peterel,
83-86

Lloyd, Martha, 50, 114

London, 29, 30, 45, 49, 57

Louis, Admiral, 115, 130, 132, 136,

151
Lyford, Dr., 271

Magicienne, 174

Mahan, Captain, on Continental sys-
tem, 307
Majestic, 45
Malays, 212-218
Malcolm, Captain Pulteney, 132, 199

291

Index

"Mansfield Park," Mary Crawford
on the distance in the wood, 3 ;
brothers and sisters, 6, 8, 16 ; Wil-
liam Price as midshipman, 24-27 ;
promotion of William Price, 46,
47» 54 I William's cross and Ed-
mund's chain, 92 ; William's return,
109; wedding of Maria Bertram,
181 ; Jane Austen at work on, 237 ;
Fanny's home-coming, 238

Marengo, campaign of, 87, 89, 266

Marlborough, 29, 30, 31

Mars, 158, 163

Massena, General, at Genoa, 81, 87,
89

Mehemet Ali, Pasha of Egypt, 275

Melas, General, 89

Mercury, 219

Mermaid, 85, 86

Mexican and United States War, 284

Minerva, 16

La Minerve, 82

Minotaur, 45, 89

Missiessy, Admiral, 131, 136, 137 ; at
the Scheldt, 227

" Le Moniteur," 145, 146

Moore, Sir John, 198 ; Jane Austen
on, 203

Moreau, General, in Italy, 65, 80

Murat, Joachim, King of Naples, 266,
270

Murat, Caroline, 266, 268, 269

Murray, Admiral George, 132

Naiad, 142

Namur, Charles Austen in, 250

Napier, Commodore Charles, 275-278

Naples, 266-270

Napoleon, his " Grand Army of Eng-
land," 115; display of Bayeux Ta-
pestry, 115; in Spain, 196-198;
"Naval Chronicle "on, 122; decline
of, 231 ; his son King of Rome, 267,
269 ; dealings with Joachim Murat,
266, 269 ; escape from Elba, 269

Naval Academy, 15-16

"Naval Chronicle" on blockades, 116;
on Napoleon,i22; on Nelson's return
from the West Indies, 144 ; censure
on Sir Robert Calder, 145

Navy, volunteers in, 15-21 ; early pro-
motions, 28 ; punishments, 28-31 ;
work of press-gang, 32-35 ; dififi-
culty of securing crews, 34 ; prizes,
37. 71-75 ; mutinies, 29 ; improve-
ments in comfort, ni ; comments
on in Jane Austen's novels : Mrs.

Clay, 3 ; Edward Ferrars, 5 ; Anne
Elliot, 38, 265 ; Sir Walter EUiot,
38-40; Louisa Musgrove, 265 ; Lady
Bertram, 25 ; Henry Crawford, 25 ;
Jane Austen, 286

Nelson, at battle of the Nile, 58 ; at
Palermo, 59, 60 ; in pursuit of Ville-
neuve, 130-146 ; return from the
West Indies, 144 ; death of, 155, 156

Neptwie, III

Nicaragua, 283, 284

"Northanger Abbey," brothers and
sisters, 6 ; Catherine Morland's
childhood, 12

Northuniherla7id, 169, 170, 173

Novi, battle of, 81

La Ny7nphe, 60

Orion, 45, 162
Oudinot, Marshal, 232

Paget, Captain, 122

Palmer, Fanny, 207 ; Mrs. Charles
Austen, 252

Parliament, thanks of, 179

Pellew, Captain Israel, 132

Penang, 212-218

Peninsular War, beginning of, 196

Perr^e, Admiral, 78-80

Perseverance, 16-23

" Persuasion," Mrs. Clay on Navy,
3; brothers and sisters, 6; Dick
Musgrove as midshipman, 24 ;
Admiral Croft on sharp practice,
35 ; speedy advancement of Captain
Wentworth, 37 ; Anne Elliot's com-
ments on the navy, 38 ; Sir Walter
Elliot on the navy, 38-40 ; Captain
Wentworth's description of life on
board a sloop of war, 74-77 ; argu-
ment between Captain Harville and
Anne Elliot, 178 ; question of ladies
on board ship, 255-259 ; Harville
family at Lyme Regis, 262 ; Jane
Austen's comment on the Navy, 286

Peterel, Francis Austen appointed to,
48, 51 ; despatch for Lord Nelson
at Palermo, 61-64 ; captured under
Captain Charles Long, 67 ; prizes,
71-73 ; capture of despatches for
Suwarrow, 83 ; capture of La
Ligurienne, 83-86 ; blockade of
Alexandria, 90, 98-103 ; rescue of
Turkish line-of-battle ship from
French and Arabs, 99-103

Phoebe, 227

292

Index

Phoenix, Charles Austen in command
of, 266 ; blockading Brindisi, 269 ;
lost off Smyrna, 270

Phifo, Charles Austen's death in,
280

Popham, Captain, 112

Powe7ftd, 72, 165, 167, 168, 170, 275,
278

Pressgang, 32-35

' ' Pride and Prejudice," brothers and
sisters, 5 ; Lady Robert Kerr's
opinion of, 248-260 ; Warren Hast-
ings's opinion of 260 ; Jane Austen's
opinion of, 237

Prima, galley, 88

Prince of Wales, 142, 153

Princess Caroline, 232

Princess Charlotte, 276, 277

Prizes, 37, 71-73, 91, 209

Proclamation to encourage enlisting,
34

Prome, 280-281

Punishments, 28-31

Ramsgate, Francis Austen at, 112-

114
Rangoon, 216, 278-281
Rattler, 279

Robinson, Captain Mark, 132
Rodd, Captain John Tremayne, 47
Rowing guard, 88
Royal Naval Academy, 15, 16
Royal Proclamation to encourage

enlisting, 34
Royal Sovereign, 132, 135, 158, 163
Rugen, Island of, 230, 231

St. Albans, Francis Austen appointed
to, 186 ; difficulty in getting sup-
plies, 186 ; at Simon's Bay, 186-
190 ; at St. Helena, 191-193 ;
expected home, 193 ; at Penang,
212-218 ; at Canton, 219-223
St. Domingo, battle of 130, 164-179
St. Helena, Francis Austen's notes on.

191-193, 194

t. Vi

St. Vincent, battle off Cape, 57

St. Vincent, Earl, putting down
mutinies, 30-31 ; moved to Gib-
raltar, 51 ; sees French fleet enter
Mediterranean, 60 ; health gives
way, 65

Santa Margarita, 21, 22

Scipio captured by Endymion, 91

Scorpion, 45, 49

Scott, Walter, Jane Austen on, 208

Sea Fencibles, 112-113

Seahorse, 29, 45, 57

" Sense and Sensibility," Edward

Ferrars on navy, 5 ; sale of 237,

250
Sherer, Mr., 247
Simon's Bay, Francis Austen's notes

on, 186-190, 194
Smith, Sir Sydney, at Acre, 59 ; off

Alexandria, 90, 95
Southampton, home of the Austens,

182
Spencer, Lord, 49, 51
Spencer, 132, 135, 142, 143, 165, 167,

170, 171, 174
Steventon, description of family at,

8 ; of parsonage at, 9 ; bringing up

of family at, 10-12
Stopford, Captain the Honourable

Robert, 132 ; Admiral, 275, 276
Stuart, Captain John 132
Success, 80
Superb, 132, 135, 165, 167, 168, 169,

170; letter of officer on board,

171-173, 174
Suwarrow, Marshal, in Italy, 80-83
Swedish Pomerania, 230-232
Swiftsure, 45, 132, 135 ; Charles

Austen in, 207, 210
Swordfish, capture of, 228

Tamar, 48-52

la Tamise, 21-22

Timiraire, 158, 163

Theseus, 45, 76

Tigre, 79, 90, 98, 103, 132, 13s, 143.

147
Tonnant, 163
Toulon, escape of . Villeneuve's fleet

from, 131, 133
Trafalgar, battle of, 131, 141, 155-159 i

scene after, 162-163
Trafalgar, Cape, 45
Tranter, 90, 98, 103
Trebbia, battle of, 80, 81
la Tribune, fight with Unicorn, 21,

22
Triton, crew impressed, 34 ; Francis

Austen appointed to, 44
Troubridge, Captain, 56, 61, 79, 87
Turkey declares war against France,

Unicorn, fight with la Tribune, 21,

22
United States, illicit carrying trade,

205 ; war with, 227

293

Index

Vanguard, 45

Victory, 132-142, 148, 158

Vienna, 116 ; Congress of, 268

Ville de Paris, 142

Villeneuve, 115 ; pursuit of, 130-146

letter on action with Calder, 145

prisoner, 159
Vimiera, battle of, 197-303
la Virginie, 82
Vixen, 284
Volunteers, 15, 21

Warren, Sir John, 207

Waterloo, Battle of, 269

Wellesley, Sir Arthur, 197, 199 (^see
Wellington)

Wellington, Duke of, 232

Whitworth, Lord, 238

Williams, Sir Thomas, 21, 23 ; mar-
riage, 42, 48, 53, 211

Winchester, 235, 271-273

Winchester, 275

Young, Admiral, 227
Zealous^ 45, 149, 228

JANE AUSTEN: HER HOMES AND

HER FRIENDS. By Constance Hill. With
numerous Illustrations by Ellen G. Hill, together
with Photogravure Portraits. Price 5s. net.

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which ranks in every respect with its predecessor."

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%* Ralph Heathcote, the son of an English father and an Alsatian vwther, was for
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interesting m.aterialfor lovers of old letters and journals.

MEMOIRS, BIOGRAPHIES, Etc. 5
MEMOIRS OF THE COUNT DE CARTRIE.

A record of the extraordinary events in the life of a French
Royalist during the war in La Vendee, and of his flight to South-
ampton, where he followed the humble occupation of gardener.
With an introduction by Frederic Masson, Appendices and Notes
by Pierre Amedee Pichot, and other hands, and numerous Illustra-
tions, including a Photogravure Portrait of the Author. Demy 8vo.
I2S. 6d. net.

Daily News. — "We have seldom met with a human document which has interested us so
much.'

THE JOURNAL OF JOHN MAYNE DURING

A TOUR ON THE CONTINENT UPON ITS RE-
OPENING AFTER THE FALL OF NAPOLEON, 1814.
Edited by his Grandson, John Mayne Colles. With 16
Illustrations. Demy 8vo (9x5! inches). I2J. 6d. net.

WOMEN OF THE SECOND EMPIRE.

Chronicles of the Court of Napoleon III. By Frederic Loliee.
With an introduction by Richard Whiteing and 53 full-page
Illustrations, 3 in Photogravure. Demy 8vo. 2IJ. net.

standard.— ^'■M.. Fr^d^ric Loliee has written a remarkable book, vivid and pitiless in its
description of the intrigue and dare-devil spirit which flourished unchecked at the French
Coiurt. . . . Mr. Richard Whiteing's introduction is written with restraint and dignity.'

LOUIS NAPOLEON AND THE GENESIS OF

THE SECOND EMPIRE. By F. H. Cheetham. With
Numerous Illustrations. Demy 8vo (9 x 5|^ inches). 16/. net.

MEMOIRS OF MADEMOISELLE DES

ECHEROLLES. Translated from the French by Marie
Clothilde Balfour. With an Introduction by G. K. Fortescue,
Portraits, etc. 5/. net.

Liverpool Mercury. — ". . . this absorbing book. . . . The work has a very decided
historical value. The translation is excellent, and quite notable in the preservation of
idiom."

JANE AUSTEN'S SAILOR BROTHERS. Being

the life and Adventures of Sir Francis Austen, g.c.b.. Admiral of
the Fleet, and Rear-Admiral Charles Austen. By J. H. and E. C.
HuBBACK. With numerous Illustrations. Demy 8vo. 1 2J-. dd. net.

Morning Post. — ". . . May be welcomed as an important addition to Austeniana • . .\
it is besides valuable for its glimpses of life in the Navy, its illustrations of the feelings
and sentiments of naval officers during the period that preceded and that which
fellowed the great battle of just one century ago, the battle which won so much but
which cost us — Nelson."

A CATALOGUE OF

SOME WOMEN LOVING AND LUCKLESS.

By Teodor de Wyzewa. Translated from the French by C. H.
Jeffreson, m.a. With Numerous Illustrations. Demy 8vo
(9 X 5 J inches). 7/. dd. net.

POETRY AND PROGRESS IN RUSSIA. By

Rosa Newmarch. With 6 full-page Portraits. Demy 8vo.
7J. dd. net.

Standard. — " Distinctly a book that should be read . . . pleasantly written and well
informed."

GIOVANNI BOCCACCIO : A BIOGRAPHICAL

STUDY. By Edvv^ard Hutton. With a Photogravure Frontis-
piece and numerous other Illustrations. Demy 8vo (9x5!
inches). 16/. net.

THE LIFE OF PETER ILICH TCHAIKOVSKY

(1840-1893). By his Brother, Modeste Tchaikovsky. Edited
and abridged from the Russian and German Editions by Rosa
Newmarch. With Numerous Illustrations and Facsimiles and an
Introduction by the Editor. Demy 8vo. 7^. dd. net. Second
edition.

The Times. — " A most illuminatingcommentary on Tchaikovsky's music."

World. — " One of the most fascinating self-revelations by an artist vi^hich has been given to

the world. The translation is excellent, and worth reading for its own sake."
ContemJ>o7-ary Review. — " The book's appeal is, of course, primarily to the music-lover ; but
there is so much of human and literary interest in it, such intimate revelation of a
singularly interesting personality, that many who have never come under the spell of
the Pathetic Symphony will be strongly attracted by what is virtually the spiritual
autobiography of its composer. High praise is due to the translator and editor for the
literary skill with which she has prepared the English version of this fascinating work . . .
There have been few coUections of letters published within recent years that give so
vivid a portrait of the writer as that presented to us in these pages."

COKE OF NORFOLK AND HIS FRIENDS:

The Life of Thomas William Coke, First Earl of Leicester of
the second creation, containing an account of his Ancestry,
Surroundings, Public Services, and Private Friendships, and
including many Unpublished Letters from Noted Men of his day,
English and American. By A. M. W. Stirling. With 20
Photogravure and upwards of 40 other Illustrations reproduced
from Contemporary Portraits, Prints, etc. Demy 8vo. 2 vols.
32J. net.

The Times. — " We thank Mr. Stirling for one of the most interesting memoirs of recent

years."
Daily Telegraph. — " A very remarkable literary performance. Mrs. Stirling has achieved

a resurrection. She has fashioned a picture of a dead and forgotten past and brought

before our eyes with the vividness of breathing existence the life of our English ancestors

of the eighteenth century."
Pall Mall Gazette. — " A work of no common interest ; in fact, a work which may almost be

called unique."
Evening Standard. — "One of the most interesting biographies we have read for years."

MEMOIRS, BIOGRAPHIES, Etc. 7

THE LIFE OF SIR HALLIDAY MACART-
NEY, K.C.M.G., Commander of Li Hung Chang's trained
force in the Taeping Rebellion, founder of the first Chinese
Arsenal, Secretary to the first Chinese Embassy to Europe.
Secretary and Councillor to the Chinese Legation in London for
thirty years. By Demetrius C. Boulger, Author of the
"History of China," the "Life of Gordon," etc. With Illus-
trations. Demy 8vo. Price 2 is. net.

Daily Graphic. — " It is safe to say that few readers will be able to put down the book with-
out feeling the better for having read it . . . not only full of personal interest, but
tells us much that we never knew before on some not unimportant details."

DEVONSHIRE CHARACTERS AND STRANGE

EVENTS. By S. Baring-Gould, m.a., Author of « Yorkshire
Oddities," etc. With 58 Illustrations. Demy 8vo. 21j.net.

Daily News.—" A fascinating series . . . the whole book is rich in human interest. It is
by personal touches, drawn from traditions and memories, that the dead men surrounded
by the curious panoply of their time, are made to live again in Mr. Baring-Gould's pages."

CORNISH CHARACTERS AND STRANGE

EVENTS. By S. Baring-Gould. Demy 8vo.' zis. net.

THE HEART OF GAMBETTA. Translated

from the French of Francis Laur by Violette Montagu.
With an Introduction by John Macdonald, Portraits and other
Illustrations. Demy 8vo. js. 6d. net.

Daily Telegraph.—" It is Gambetta poiuring out his soul to L6onie Leon, the strange,
passionate, masterful demagogue, who wielded the most persuasive oratory of modern
times, acknowledging his idol, his inspiration, his Egeria."

THE MEMOIRS OF ANN, LADY FANSHAWE.

Written by Lady Fanshawe. With Extracts from the Correspon-
dence of Sir Richard Fanshawe. Edited by H. C. Fanshawe.
With 38 Full-page Illustrations, including four in Photogravure
and one in Colour. Demy 8vo. i6s. net.

*»* This Edition has leen printed direct from the original manuscript in the possession
of the Fanshawe Family^ and Mr. H. C. Fanshawe contributes numerous notes which
^orm a running cem.)nentary on the text. Many famous pictures are reproduced^ includ-
ing paintings hy Velazquez and Van Dyck.

8 A CATALOGUE OF

THE LIFE OF JOAN OF ARC. By Anatole

France. A Translation by Winifred Stephens. With 8 Illus-
trations. Demy 8vo (9 x 5 j inches). 2 vols. Price 2 5/. net.

THE DAUGHTER OF LOUIS XVI. Marie-

Th^r^se-Charlotte of France, Duchesse D'Angouleme. By. G.
Lenotre. With 1 3 Full-page Illustrations. Demy Svo. Price
los. dd, net.

WITS, BEAUX, AND BEAUTIES OF THE

GEORGIAN ERA. By John Fyvie, author of" Some Famous
Women of Wit and Beauty," " Comedy Queens of the Georgian
Era," etc. With a Photogravure Portrait and numerous other
Illustrations, Demy Svo (9 x 5f inches). I2j. 6d. net.

LADIES FAIR AND FRAIL. Sketches of the

Demi-monde during the Eighteenth Century. By Horace
Bleackley, author of "The Story of a Beautiful Duchess."
With I Photogravure and 15 other Portraits reproduced from
contemporary sources. Demy Svo (9 x 5 J inches). 12/. dd, net.

MADAME DE MAINTENON : Her Life and

Times, 1 63 5-1 7 1 9. By C. C. Dyson. With i Photogravure
Plate and 16 other Illustrations. Demy Svo (9 x 5f inches).
I2J. dd. net.

DR. JOHNSON AND MRS. THRALE. By

A. M. Broadley. With an Introductory Chapter by Thomas
Seccombe. With 24 Illustrations from rare originals, including
a reproduction in colours of the Fellowes Miniature of Mrs.
Piozzi by Roche, and a Photogravure of Harding's sepia drawing
of Dr. Johnson. Demy Svo (9 x 5f inches). \zs. 6d, net.

THE DAYS OF THE DIRECTOIRE. By

Alfred Allinson, M.A. With 48 Full-page Illustrations,
including many illustrating the dress of the time. Demy Svo
(9 ^ si inches). 16/. net.

MEMOIRS, BIOGRAPHIES, Etc. 9
HUBERT AND JOHN VAN EYCK : Their Life

and Work. By W. H. James Weale. With 41 Photogravure
and 95 Black and White Reproductions. Royal 4to. ^5 5/. net.

Sir Martin Conway's Note.
Nearly half a century has passed since Mr. W. H. James Weale, then resident at
Bruges, began that long series of patient investigations into the history of Netherlandish
art which was destined to earn so rich a harvest. When he began work Menilinc was
still called Hemling, and was fabled to have arrived at Bruges as a wounded soldier.
The van Eycks were little more than legendary heroes. Roger Van der Weyden was little
m^ore than a name. Most of the other great Netherlandish artists were either wholly
^orgotten or na^ned only in connection with paintings with which they had nothing to do.
Mr. Weale discovered Gerard David, and disentangled his principal works from Metn-
line's, with which they were then confused.

VINCENZO FOPPA OF BRESCIA, Founder of

THE Lombard School, His Life and Work. By Constance
JocELYN Ffoulkes and Monsignor Rodolfo Majocchi, D.D.,
Rector of the Collegio Borromeo, Pavia. Based on research in the
Archives of Milan, Pavia, Brescia, and Genoa, and on the study
of all his known works. With over 100 Illustrations, many in
Photogravure, and 100 Documents. Royal 4to. ;^3. lu. dd, net.

*^^* No cotnplete Life of Vincenzo Foppa has ever been written : an omission which
seems almost inexplicable in these days of over-production in the matter of bio-
graphies of painters, and of subjects relating to the art of Italy. The object of the
authors of this book has been to present a true picture of the masters life based
upon tJte testimony of records in Italian archives. The authors have unearthed a large
amount of new material relating to Foppa, one of the most interesting facts brought to
light being that he lived for twenty-three years longer than was formerly supposed. The
illustrations will include several pictures by Foppa hitherto unknozun in the history of art.

MEMOIRS OF THE DUKES OF URBINO.

Illustrating the Arms, Art and Literature of Italy from 1440 to
1630. By James Dennistoun of Dennistoun. A New Edition
edited by Edward Hutton, with upwards of 100 Illustrations.
Demy 8vo. 3 vols. 42J. net.

*^t* For many years this great book has been out Oj print, although it still remains the
chief authority -upon the Duchy of Urbino frotn the beginning of the fifteenth century.
Mr. Hutton has carefully edited the whole work, leaving the text substantially the same,
but adding a large number of new notes, comments and references. Wherever possible
the reader is directed to original sources. Every sort of work has been laid under
contribution to illustrate the text, and bibliographies have been supplied on m.anv subjects.
Besides these notes the book acquires a nezv value on account of the jnass of illustrations
•which it now contains, thus adding a pictorial comment to an historical and critical one.

THE PHILOSOPHY OF LONG LIFE. By

Jean Finot. A Translation by Harry Roberts. Demy 8vo.
(9 X 5 J inches), yj. dd. net.

*^^* This is a translation of a book which has attained to the position of a classic. It
has already been translated into almost every language, and has, in France, gone into four-
teen editions in the course of a few years. The book is an exhaustive one, and although
based en science and philosophy it is in no sense abstruse or re7note from general interest.
It deals with life as embodied not only in man and in the animal and vegetable worlds, but
in all that great world of {as the author holds) -misnamed " inanimate " nature as well.
For M. Finot argues that all things have life and consciousness, and that a solidarity
exists which brings together all beings and so-called things. He sets himself to work to
show that life, in its philosophic conception, is an elemental force, and durable as nature
herself.

lo A CATALOGUE OF

THE DIARY OF A LADY-IN-WAITING. By

Lady Charlotte Bury. Being the Diary Illustrative of the
Times of George the Fourth. Interspersed with original Letters
from the late Queen Caroline and from various other distinguished
persons. New edition. Edited, with an Introduction, by A.
Francis Steuart. With numerous portraits. Two Vols.
Demy 8vo. 2 is. net

THE LAST JOURNALS OF HORACE WAL-

POLE. During the Reign of George III from 1771 to 1783.
With Notes by Dr. Doran. Edited with an Introduction by
A. Francis Steuart, and containing numerous Portraits (2 in
Photogravure) reproduced from contemporary Pictures, Engravings,
etc. 2 vols. Uniform with "The Diary of a Lady-in- Waiting."
Demy 8vo (9 x 5|- inches). 25/. net.

JUNIPER HALL : Rendezvous of certain illus-
trious Personages during the French Revolution, including Alex-
ander D'Arblay and Fanny Burney. Compiled by Constance
Hill. With numerous Illustrations by Ellen G. Hill, and repro-
ductions from various Contemporary Portraits. Crown 8 vo. 5/. net.

JANE AUSTEN : Her Homes and Her Friends.

By Constance Hill. Numerous Illustrations by Ellen G. Hill,
together with Reproductions from Old Portraits, etc. Cr. 8vo. 5j.net.

THE HOUSE IN ST. MARTINIS STREET.

Being Chronicles of the Burney Family. By Constance Hill,
Author of " Jane Austen, Her Home, and Her Friends," " Juniper
Hall," etc. With numerous Illustrations by Ellen G. Hill, and
reproductions of Contemporary Portraits, etc. Demy 8vo. 21s.net.

STORY OF THE PRINCESS DES URSINS IN

SPAIN (Camarera-Mayor). By Constance Hill. With 12
Illustrations and a Photogravure Frontispiece. New Edition.
Crown 8vo. 5/. net.

MARIA EDGEWORTH AND HER CIRCLE
IN THE DAYS OF BONAPARTE AND BOURBON.

By Constance Hill. Author of " Jane Austen : Her Homes
and Her Friends," "Juniper Hall," "The House in St. Martin's
Street," etc. With numerous Illustrations by Ellen G. Hill
and Reproductions of Contemporary Portraits, etc. Demy 8vo
(9 X 5 J inches). 2IJ. net.

MEMOIRS, BIOGRAPHIES, Etc. ii
NEW LETTERS OF THOMAS CARLYLE.

Edited and Annotated by Alexander Carlyle, with Notes and
an Introduction and numerous Illustrations. In Two Volumes.
Demy 8vo. z^s. net.

PaiZ Mall Gazette.— ^'^ To the portrait of the man, TLofflas, these letters do really add

value ; we can learn to respect and to like him the more for the genuine goodness of his

personality."
Literary IVorld.—" It is then Carlyle, the nobly filial son, we see in these letters ; Carlyle,

the generous and affectionate brother, the loyal and warm-hearted friend, . . . and

above all, Carlyle as the tender and faithful lover of his wife."
Daily Telegraph. — "The letters are characteristic enough of the parlyle we know : very

picturesque and entertaining, full of extravagant emphasis, written, as a rule, at fever

heat, eloquently rabid and emotional."

NEW LETTERS AND MEMORIALS OF JANE

WELSH CARLYLE. A Collection of hitherto Unpublished
Letters. Annotated by Thomas Carlyle, and Edited by
Alexander Carlyle, with an Introduction by Sir James Crichton
Browne, m.d., ll.d., f.r.s., numerous Illustrations drawn in Litho-
graphy by T. R. Way, and Photogravure Portraits from hitherto
unreproduced Originals. In Two Volumes. Demy 8vo. 25J. net.

Westminster Gazette.—^'' Few letters in the language have in such perfection the qualities
which good letters should possess. Frank, gay, brilliant, indiscreet, immensely clever,
whimsical, and audacious, they reveal a character which, with whatever alloy of human
infirmity, must endear itself to any reader of understanding."

JFtfr/^.—" Throws a deal of new light on the domestic relations of the Sage of Chelsea.
They also contain the full text of Mrs. Carlyle's fascinating journal, and her own
' humorous and quaintly candid ' narrative of her first love-affair."

THE LOVE LETTERS OF THOMAS CAR-
LYLE AND JANE WELSH. Edited by Alexander Carlyle,
Nephew of Thomas Carlyle, editor of "New Letters and
Memorials of Jane Welsh Carlyle," " New Letters of Thomas
Carlyle," etc. With 2 Portraits in colour and numerous other
Illustrations. Demy 8vo (9 x 5 J inches). 2 vols. 25/. net.

CARLYLE'S FIRST LOVE. Margaret Gordon—

Lady Bannerman. An account of her Life, Ancestry and
Homes ; her Family and Friends. By R. C. Archibald. With
20 Portraits and Illustrations, including a Frontispiece in Colour.
Demy 8vo (9 x 5f inches). 10/. dd. net

EMILE ZOLA : Novelist and Reformer. An

Account of his Life, Work, and Influence. By E. A. Vizetelly.
With numerous Illustrations, Portraits, etc. Demy 8vo. 2 ij-. net.

Morning Post.— "Mr. Ernest Vizetelly has given . . . a very true insight into the aims,

character, and life of the novelist."
Athenceum.. — ". . . Exhaustive and interesting."
M.A.P.—". . . will stand as the classic biography of Zola.'

12 A CATALOGUE OF

MEMOIRS OF THE MARTYR KING : being a

detailed record of the last two years of the Reign of His Most
Sacred Majesty King Charles the First, 1 646-1 648-9. Com-
piled by Allan Fea. With upwards of 100 Photogravure
Portraits and other Illustrations, including relics. Royal 410.
1051. net.

Mr. M. H. Spielmann in T/te Academy. — " The volume is a triumph for the printer and

publisher, and a solid contribution to Carolinian literature."
Pall Mall Gazette. — "The present sumptuous volume, a storehouse of eloquent associations
. . comes as near to outward perfection as anything we could desire."

MEMOIRS OF A VANISHED GENERATION

181 3-1 855. Edited by Mrs. Warrenne Blake. With numerous
Illustrations. Demy 8vo. i6j. net.

*^ This work is compiled front diaries and letters dating jrotn the time of the Regency
to the middle of the nineteenth century. The value of the work lies in its natural un-
embellished picture of the life of a cultured and ivell-born family in a foreign environment
at a period so close to our own thut it is far less familiar than periods 77tuch vtore remote.
There is an atmosphere of Jane Austen's novels about the lives of Admiral Knox and his
family, and a large number of well-known contemporaries are introduced into Mrs. Blake's
iages.

CESAR FRANCK : A Study. Translated from the

French of Vincent d'Indy, with an Introduction by RosA New-
march. Demy 8vo. 7/. 6d. net.

*#* There is no purer influence in modern music than that of Cesar Franck, for many
-"ears ignored in every capacity save that of organist of Sainte-Clotilde, in Paris, but no7&
recognised as the legitimate successor of Bach and Beethoven. His inspiration " rooted in
love and faith " has contributed in a remarkable degree to the regeneration of the tnusical
art in France and elsewhere. The now famous ''^ Schola Cantorum" founded in Paris in
1896, by A. Guilmant, Charles Bordes and Vincent dindy, is the direct outcome of his
influence. Among the artists who were in some sort his disciples were Paul Dukas,
Chabrier, Gabriel Faure and the great violinist Ysdye. His pupils include such gifted
composers as Benott, Augusta Hobnes, Chausson, Ropartz, and d' Indy, This book,
written with the devotion of a disciple and the authority of a master, leaves us with
a vivid and touching impression of the saint-like composer o^ '■'■ The Beatitudes.^'

FRENCH NOVELISTS OF TO-DAY : Maurice

Barres, Rene Bazin, Paul Bourget, Pierre de Coulevain, Anatole
France, Pierre Loti, Marcel Prevost, and Edouard Rod. Bio-
graphical, Descriptive, and Critical. By Winifred Stephens.
With Portraits and Bibliographies. Crown 8vo. 5/. net.

*^* The writer, "who has lived much in France, is thoroughly CLcquainted with French
life and with the principal currents of French thought. The book is intended to be a
guide to English readers desirous to keep in touch with the best present-day French
fiction. Special attention is given to the ecclesiastical, social, and intellectua.1 problems
of contemporary France and their influence upon the works of French novelists of to-day.

THE KING'S GENERAL IN THE WEST,

being the Life of Sir Richard Granville, Baronet (i 600-1659).
By Roger Granville, M.A., Sub-Dean of Exeter Cathedral.
With Illustrations. Demy 8vo. ioj. 6d. net.

Westminster Gazette. — "A distinctly interesting work; it will be highly appreciated by
historical students as well as by ordinary readers."

MEMOIRS, BIOGRAPHIES, Etc. I'^
THE SOUL OF A TURK. By Mrs. de Bunsen.

With 8 Full-page Illustrations. Demy 8vo. los. 6^. net.

%* We hear of Moslem, '■^fanaticism " and Christian '''superstition" hut it is not easy
to find a book which goes to the heart of the vtatter. " The Soul of a Turk" is the
outcome of several journeys in Asiatic and European Turkey, notably one through the
Artnenian provinces, down the Tigris on a raft to Bagfidad and across the Syrian Desert
to Damascus. Mrs. de Bunsen made a special study of the various forms of religion
existing in those countries. Here, side by side with the formal ceremonial of the village
mosque and the Christian Church, is the resort to Magic and Mystery.

THE LIFE AND LETTERS OF ROBERT

Stephen Hawker, sometime Vicar of Morwenstow in Cornwall.
By C. E. Byles. With numerous Illustrations by J. Ley
Pethybridge and others. Demy Svo. ']s. 6d. net.

Daily Telegraph. — " . . . As soon as the volume is opened one finds oneself in the presence
of a real original, a man of ability, genius and eccentricity, of whom one cannot know
too much . . . No one will read this fascinating and charmingly produced book without
thanks to Mr. Byles and a desire to visit — or revisit — Morwenstow."

THE LIFE OF WILLIAM BLAKE. By Alexander

Gilchrist. Edited with an Introduction by W.Graham Robertson.
Numerous Reproductions from Blake's most characteristic and
remarkable designs. Demy Svo. loj. 6^. net. New Edition.

Birmingham Post. — "Nothing seems at all likely ever to supplant the Gilchrist biography.
Mr. Swinburne praised it magnificently in his own eloquent essay on Blake, and there
should be no need now to point out its entire sanity, understanding keenness of critical
insight, and masterly literary style. Dealing with one of the most difficult of subjects,
it ranks among the finest things of its kind that we possess."

GEORGE MEREDITH : Some Characteristics.

By Richard Le Gallienne. With a Bibliography (much en-
larged) by John Lane. Portrait, etc. Crown Svo. 5j-.net. Fifth
Edition. Revised.

Punch. — "All Meredithians must possess 'George Meredith; Some Characteristics,' by
Richard Le Gallienne. This book is a complete and excellent guide to the novelist and
the novels, a sort of Meredithian Bradshaw, with pictures of the traffic superintendent
and the head office at Boxhill. Even Philistines may be won over by the blandishments
of Mr. Le Gallienne."

LIFE OF LORD CHESTERFIELD. An account

of the Ancestry, Personal Character, and Public Services of the
Fourth Earl of Chesterfield. By W. H. Craig, M.A. Numerous
Illustrations. Demy Svo. 1 2s. 6d. net.

Times. — " It is the chief point of Mr. Craig's book to show the sterling qualities which
Chesterfield was at too much pains in concealing, to reject the perishable trivialities of
his character, and to exhibit him as a philosophic statesman, not inferior to any of his
contemporaries, except Walpole at one end of his life, and Chatham at the other."

£4 A CATALOGUE OF

A QUEEN OF INDISCRETIONS. The Tragedy

of Caroline of Brunswick, Queen of England. From the Italian
of G. P. Clerici. Translated by Frederic Chapman. With
numerous Illustrations reproduced from contemporary Portraits and
Prints. Demy 8vo. 21s. net.

The Daily Telegraph. — "It could scarcely be done more thoroughly or, on the whole, in
better taste than is here displayed by Professor Clerici. Mr. Frederic Chapman himself
contributes an uncommonly interesting and well-informed introduction.'

LETTERS AND JOURNALS OF SAMUEL

GRIDLEY HOWE. Edited by his Daughter Laura E.
Richards. With Notes and a Preface by F. B. Sanborn, an
Introduction by Mrs. John Lane, and a Portrait. Demy 8vo
(9 X 5 J inches). i6j. net.

Outlook. — " This deeply interesting record of experience. The volume is worthily produced
and contains a striking portrait of Howe."

GRIEG AND HIS MUSIC. By H. T. Finck,

Author of " Wagner and his Works," etc. With Illustrations.
Crown 8vo. yj. 6d. net.

EDWARD A. MACDOWELL : a Biography. By

Lawrence Gilman, Author of " Phases of Modern Music,"
" Straus's * Salome,' " " The Music of To-morrow and Other
Studies," " Edward Macdowell," etc. Profusely illustrated.
Crown 8vo. 5/. net.

THE LIFE OF ST. MARY MAGDALEN.

Translated from the Italian of an Unknown Fourteenth-Century
Writer by Valentina Hawtrey. With an Introductory Note by
Vernon Lee, and 14 Full-page Reproductions from the Old Masters.
Crown 8vo. 5/. net.

Daily News. — "Miss Valentina Hawtrey has given a most excellent English version of this
pleasant work."

MEN AND LETTERS. By Herbert Paul, m.p.

Fourth Edition. Crown 8vo. 5/. net.

Daily News. — " Mr. Herbert Paul has done scholars and the reading world in genera a high
service in publishing this collection of his essays."

ROBERT BROWNING: Essays and Thoughts.

By J. T. Nettleship. With Portrait. Crown 8vo. 5/. 6d. net.
, (Third Edition.)

MEMOIRS, BIOGRAPHIES, Etc. 15
WILLIAM MAKEPEACE THACKERAY. A

Biography by Lewis Melville. With 2 Photogravures and
numerous other Illustrations. Demy 8vo (9x5! inches).
25/. net.

%* In compiling this biography of Thackeray Mr. Lewis Melville, -who is admittedly
the authority on the subject, has been assisted by numerous Thackeray experts. Mr.
Melville's name has long been associated with Thackeray, not only as founder of the
Titmarsh Club, but also as the author of '•^ The Thackeray County" and the editor of the
standard edition of Thackeray's works and " Thackeray s Stray Papers." For w.any
vears Mr. Melville has devoted hitnselfto the collection of material relating to the life and
work of his subject. He has had access to many new letters, and much information has
come to hand since the publication of " The Life of Thackeray." Now that everything
about the novelist is known, it seems that an appropriate moment has arrived for a new
biography. Mr. Melville has also compiled a bibliography of Thackeray that runs to
upwards i^oo itevis, by many hundreds more than contained in any hitherto issued.
This section will be invaluable to the collector. Thackeray's speeches, including several
never before republished, have also been collected. There is a list of portraits of the
novelist, and a separate index to the Bibliography.

A LATER PEPYS. The Correspondence of Sir

William Waller Pepys, Bart., Master in Chancery, 175 8-1 82 5,
with Mrs. Chapone, Mrs. Hartley, Mrs. Montague, Hannah More,
William Franks, Sir James Macdonald, Major Rennell, Sir
Nathaniel Wraxall, and others. Edited, with an Introduction and
Notes, by Alice C. C. Gaussen. With numerous Illustrations.
Demy 8vo. In Two Volumes. 32J. net.

Douglas Sladen in the Queen. — "This is indisputably a most valuable contributionto the
literature of the eighteenth century. It is a veritable storehouse of society gossip, the
art criticism, and the mots of famous people."

ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON, AN ELEGY;
AND OTHER POEMS, MAINLY PERSONAL. By
Richard Le Gallienne. Crown 8vo. 4/. dd. net.

Globe. — "The opening Elegy on R. L. Stevenson includes some tender and touching
passages, and has throughout the merits of sincerity and clearness."

RUDYARD KIPLING : a Criticism. By Richard

Le Gallienne. With a Bibliography by John Lane. Crown
8vo. 3 J. 6^. net.

Scotsman— '■'^ It shows a keen insight into the essential qualities of literature, and analyses
Mr. Kipling's product with the skill of a craftsman . . . the positive and outstanding
merits of Mr. Kipling's contribution to the literature of his time are marshalled by his
critic with quite uncommon skill."

APOLOGIA DIFFIDENTIS. By W. Compton

Leith. Demy 8vo. 7/. dd. net.

*^^* The book, which is largely autobiographical, describes the effect of diffidence upon
an individual life, and contains, with a consideration of the nature of shyness, a plea for
a kindlier judgment of the inveterate case.

Daily Mail.— ''Mx. Leith has written a very beautiful__book, and perhaps the publisher's
claim that this will be a new classic is not too bold."

i6 MEMOIRS, BIOGRAPHIES, Etc.
THE TRUE STORY OF MY LIFE : an Auto-

biography by Alice M. Diehl, Novelist, Writer, and Musician.
Demy 8vo. lo/. 6d, net.

THE LIFE OF W. J. FOX, Public Teacher and

Social Reformer, 1 786-1 864. By the late Richard Garnett,
C.B., LL.D., concluded by Edward Garnett. Demy 8vo.
(9 ^ 5f inches.) 16/. net.

\* W. J. Fox was a prominent figure in public life from 1820 to i860. From a
weaver s boy he becatne M.P. for Oldham {1847-1S62), and he will always be remem-bered
for his association ivith South Place Chapel, where his Radical opinions and fame as a
preacher and popular orator brought hijn in contact with an advanced circle of thoughtful
people. He was the discoverer of the youthful Robert Browning and Harriet Mariineau,
and the friend of J. S. Mill, Home, John Forster, Macready, etc. As an Anti-Corn
Law orator, he swayed, by the power of his eloquence, enthusiastic audiences. As a
politician, he was the unswerving champion of social reform, and the cause of oppressed
nationalities, his most celebrated speech being in support of his Bill for National Educa-
Hon, 1850, a Bill which anticipated tnany of the features of the Education Bill of our
own time. He died in 1863. T^^^ present Life has been compiled from." m-anuscript
vtaterial entrusted to Dr. Garnett by Mrs. Bridell Fox.

OTIA : Essays. By Armine Thomas Kent. Crown
8vo. 5j. net.

TERRORS OF THE LAW : being the Portraits

of Three Lawyers — the original Weir of Hermiston, "Bloody
Jeffreys," and " Bluidy Advocate Mackenzie." By Francis
Watt. With 3 Photogravure Portraits. Fcap. 8vo. \s. 6d. net.

The Literary World, — "The book is altogether entertaining; it is brisk, lively, and
effective. Mr. Watt has already, in his two series of 'The Law's Lumber Room,'
established his place as an essayist in legal lore, and the present book will increase his
reputation."

CHAMPIONS OF THE FLEET. Captains and

Men-of-War in the Days that Helped to make the Empire. By
Edward Eraser. With 16 Full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo.

THE LONDONS OF THE BRITISH FLEET :

The Story of Ships bearing the name of Old Renown in Naval
Annals. By Edward Eraser. With 8 Illustrations in colours,
and 20 in black and white. Crown 8vo. 6s.

JOHN LANE, THE BODLEY HEAD, VIGO STREET, LONDON, W.

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